Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

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

While the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

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

However, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

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

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.