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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

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

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.