Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

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

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

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.