Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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