Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

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

This event took place in the early stages 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 striking the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

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

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.