South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.