Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player 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 Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
