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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory 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.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, 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 are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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