Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
