South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation 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 striking back by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel determined that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.