South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

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

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.