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

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

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

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.