Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.