Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy 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.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
