South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
