South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He 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 Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
