South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

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

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after reacting angrily by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed 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 game.

While the URC announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, the player's suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.