South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

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