Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel determined that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
