Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
