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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

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

The panel determined that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.