Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
