Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.