South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
