South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
