Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win 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 area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
