South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
