Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

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

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

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

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.