South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

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

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

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

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.