Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.