Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
