Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.