South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
