Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

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

The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. 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 ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.