South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was checked by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"Any athlete should not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face the Irish rivals in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.