South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

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

This event happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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