Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.