Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.