South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
