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

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.