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

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact 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.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.