South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
