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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

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

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although 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 law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

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

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

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