Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
