Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

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

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