Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.