Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

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

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.