South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
