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

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

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

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.