Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will miss for South Africa's fall fixtures.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.
However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during 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 young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.
Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
