Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures 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, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.