South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
