Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
