South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.