Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
