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

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

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

After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at 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 rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

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