South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
