South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match 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 Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.