South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

This event happened in the early stages of the close contest against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by striking Wessels on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the game.

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

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

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

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

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.