South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.