South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

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

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.