South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
