South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
The player is ruled out for the Springboks' upcoming test matches.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.
After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.
While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.
The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.
The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.