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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

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

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule 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 URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.