South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
