South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.

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

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

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