South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
