South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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