South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.