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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.