South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

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

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.