South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states: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 do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.