South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels 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 fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
