Springbok Player Wessels Handed Nine-Match Suspension for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

This event occurred in the 18th minute of the narrow victory against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head area.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels stayed on the field until he was replaced 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 law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. Such behavior covers grabbing, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the event met the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has earned 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.