South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
