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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

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