South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.