South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.
After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
