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

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

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

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.