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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.