Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.