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

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was examined by the TMO, who found insufficient clear footage.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the contact met the red card threshold and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and the Irish team.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.