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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.