Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head area.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

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

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.