South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
