Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.