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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares: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 against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.