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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.