South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win 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 checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
