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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.