Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European 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.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
