Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls 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 Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.