South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
