South African Player Jan-Hendrik Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

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

The panel determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.