South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels has received a ban of nine games for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

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

The panel were satisfied that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.