Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.