Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, 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 are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
