Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

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

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