South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.