South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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