Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

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

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.