Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
