South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

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

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.