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

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

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, 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 European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.