South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

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

The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

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

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.