Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

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

This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.