South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
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 the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
