Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.