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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened 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 Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

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