Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
