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

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

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

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.