Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

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

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.