Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.