Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' 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 appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

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