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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted 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While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during 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 South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.