South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

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

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing 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 Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.