Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

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

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss 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.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.