Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened 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 appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

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