Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

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

The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.