Springbok Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was checked by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the URC confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a governing body, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player must not engage in actions that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the private areas."

The panel were satisfied that the contact reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby regulations for such an violation.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

Wessels and the Bulls are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and the Irish team.

He will also miss the Bulls' league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

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

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