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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.