Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
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 offence.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.