Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
