South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
