South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, 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 Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the 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 tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
