Springbok Forward Wessels Handed Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

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

The incident took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by striking Wessels on the head area.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined no definitive proof.

Wessels stayed on the pitch until he was substituted in the later stages of the match.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached the code of conduct, which states:

"A player must not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. This includes grabbing, twisting or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest ban under World Rugby rules for such an offence.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled 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 the Brave Blossoms, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

Wessels will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

Wessels has won 10 caps for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's inter-provincial derby after being exonerated.