South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The altercation happened 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 the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the situation was examined by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel determined that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

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

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

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

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.