Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

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 South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' 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 squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.