Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies: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. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player 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 URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.