Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

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