South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident 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 the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He 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 part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
