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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.