Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on 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 examined by the television match official, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

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