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

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.