Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.