Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown 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 event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

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 eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.