South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy complained 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 substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
