Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
