South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

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

The panel concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.