South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.