South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

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

However, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.