South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

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