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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.