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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.