South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
