South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

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

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.