South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel determined that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.