Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.
After Murphy complained 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 match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
