South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab
The player is ruled out for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The incident happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
