Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.