Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
