Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.