Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

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

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

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

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

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.