South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
