Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

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

He 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 Bègles and Northampton.

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

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