Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled 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, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
