South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

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

This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

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

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

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

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

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

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