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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

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

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.