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

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

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.