Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

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

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.