Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.