South African Forward Wessels Handed 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 Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled 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 the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.