South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
