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

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being cleared.