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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances 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 this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.