Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.