Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.