South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls 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 Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.