South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.