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

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.