South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
