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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.