Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

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

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.