Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended 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 close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.