South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
