South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.
