Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
