South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
