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

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

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

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.