South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
