South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.