Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
