Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

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

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.