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

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

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

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