South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
The panel determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
