Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies: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 compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

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

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.