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

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

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced 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 are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.