Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match 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 Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

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

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

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