South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
