Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will miss for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.
After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.
While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.
Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.
He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
