Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
