Springbok Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by hitting the South African on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who found insufficient clear footage.

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

Although the URC announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

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

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.