South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with 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 narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
