Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
