South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.