Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, 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 Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
