Springbok Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team 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, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.