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

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.