Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

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

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

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

However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.