Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
