South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"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 incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
