Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules 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 good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, 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 during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
