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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

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

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

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.