Springbok Forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.