South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
