Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
