South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
