Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

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

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

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

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

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.