Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

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 eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.