Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

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

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.