South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, 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 European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks 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 domestic clash after being cleared.
