Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.