Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels is ruled out for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.
Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
