South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
