South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.