South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

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

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

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

The panel determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, 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 European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.