South African Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

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