South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
