Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after reacting angrily by striking the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined no definitive proof.

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

While the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's 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 currently, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's 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 Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.