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

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

This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.