South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
