South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.