Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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