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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.