Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
