South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.