South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik 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 occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.