Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

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

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.