Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

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

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

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

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

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