South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
