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

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

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

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.