South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling 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 international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.