Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
