South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.