South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.