Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
