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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates 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 Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.