South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
