South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

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

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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