South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"A player 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 met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, 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, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
