South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.