Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations 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 as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
