South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, 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, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
