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

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.