Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
