South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
