South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
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 win over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
