Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks 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 ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.