Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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