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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.