South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

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