South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

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

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was reviewed by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the event reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.