Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
