South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
