Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

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

This event occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the TMO, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which declares:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct during the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, 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.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.