Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

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

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.