South African Player Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the contact was examined by the television match official, who concluded no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player stayed on the field until he was substituted in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.