South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
The player will miss for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.
Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
