Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
