Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The incident took place in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks 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 appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

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

The prop has earned 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.