South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games 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.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
