Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's 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 Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
