Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux 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 the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
