Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
