Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.