Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.