South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.