South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
