Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares: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 grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.