South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

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

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.