Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

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

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

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

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.