South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.