Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
