Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact
Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.
The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.
After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.
Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:
"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."
The panel determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.
Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.
He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.
