South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, 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 are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.