South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

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

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

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

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

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