South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

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

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.