Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
