Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.