Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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