Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

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