South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 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 face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.