South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

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

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.