Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
