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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.