South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
