Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
