Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

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