Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, 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 Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
