Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team 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 the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.