Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

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