Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
