Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

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

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

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

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