Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to the match official, the situation was reviewed by the TMO, who concluded insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

While the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, pulling or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident met the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.