Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
