Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
