South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

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

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates 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 part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.