South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory 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 being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.