South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

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

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.