South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

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

The panel concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss 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 tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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