Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
