Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games 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.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.