Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

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While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which states:

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

The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.