South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels 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 South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
