Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C 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 tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.