Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
