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

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

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

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.