South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at 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 young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
