Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
