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

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.