South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.
South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.
Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.
Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.
However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension 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.
Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.
