Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.
However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
