South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.
