South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.