South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab
The player will be unavailable for South Africa's autumn internationals.
South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.
The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.
Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.
The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.
While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:
"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."
Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.
Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.
Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.
Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.
The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.
The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.
