South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.