Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
