South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.