South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.