Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

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

This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

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

The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

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