South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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