Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
