South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games 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 South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
