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

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which declares:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the event met the red card threshold and justified a three-month ban, the shortest ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Saints.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for South Africa 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 exonerated.