Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event occurred in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

After Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was examined by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the second half of the game.

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest suspension under international rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

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