Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

The incident happened in the early stages of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head.

After Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who found no definitive proof.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.