South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player 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 pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
