South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.