Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule 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 Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
