Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels 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 the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

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