South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel determined that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
