South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed 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While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing 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 Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.