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

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.