Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should 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 concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
