Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win 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.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

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

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.