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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

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

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

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.