South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels 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 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.