South African Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.