Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event happened in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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