South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
