South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
