Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
