Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.