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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

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

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.