South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
