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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

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