Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.