South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled 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 the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
