South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

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

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.