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

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

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

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

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

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

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