Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

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

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.