South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained 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While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

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

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.