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

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

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

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

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

The panel determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.