Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the 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 tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
