Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

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

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.