South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' 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 Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.