South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
