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

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

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

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.