Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
