Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
