Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.