Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's 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 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.