Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the contact met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.