Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels faces a suspension 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 in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.