Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels 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 Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
