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

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

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

The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.