South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.