Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates 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 tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
