Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.