South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving 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 checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

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, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.