South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.