Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
