South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
