Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
