Springbok Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Week Ban for Genital Grab in United Rugby Championship

South African rugby player Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended for nine matches after a disciplinary panel found him guilty of grabbing the genitals of Connacht player Josh Murphy during a United Rugby Championship match. The incident led to Murphy initially receiving a 20-minute red card for retaliating by striking Wessels, but this was later rescinded upon review. The panel deemed Wessels' conduct a breach of World Rugby Law 9.27, which prohibits unsportsmanlike behavior, and determined the offense warranted a 12-week suspension, which was reduced to nine weeks due to his good conduct and prior record. This suspension will sideline Wessels from South Africa's upcoming autumn internationals against Japan, France, Italy, and Ireland, as well as several Bulls matches in the URC and European Champions Cup. Despite the lack of conclusive video evidence during the match, the citing commissioner reported the foul play, leading to the ban. The Bulls have not yet announced whether they will appeal the suspension.