Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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