Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

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

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.