Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states: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. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
