Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's fall fixtures.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
