South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.