Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

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

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

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

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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