South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
