South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
