Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for the Springboks' fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.
This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.
Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.
The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:
"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.
Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.
