South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' 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 Emirates Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.