Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted 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 prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
