Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.