Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent 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 Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

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

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.