Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
