South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on 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 complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
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, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
