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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.