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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games 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 team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.