Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

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

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

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