Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
