Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

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

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

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

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.