Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
