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

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

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.