Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.