Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.