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

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

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