South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

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

The panel determined that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.