South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."
The panel determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.
However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
