Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was rescinded by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.