Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Rugby player action — Wessels will be unavailable for South Africa's upcoming test matches.

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

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

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.

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Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

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