Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
