South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player 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 Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.