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

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine matches for touching opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

After Murphy reported the incident to the match official, the event was checked by the TMO, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

Wessels remained on the field until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was withdrawn by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which specifies:

"Any athlete must not do anything that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials determined that the incident reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

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

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will prevent the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won 10 caps for South Africa and was part of their tri-nations champion team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.