South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel determined that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

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

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

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