Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 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 play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
