Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
