South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel determined that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.