Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
