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

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.