South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.