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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.