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

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.