South African Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

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

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, 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, Italy and Ireland.

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

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

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