Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

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

The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.