Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension 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 suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
