Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels 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 victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban 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 currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
