South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.