South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
