Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the contact was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel determined that the event reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior 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 Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

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

Wessels has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.