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

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine games for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' URC victory over the Irish province.

The incident happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with Connacht forward Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

Following Murphy reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was reviewed by the television match official, who concluded no definitive proof.

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

Although the URC announced that the Irish player's 20-minute red card was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

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

Disciplinary officials concluded that the event reached the red card threshold and warranted a 12-week suspension, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, Les Bleus, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

Wessels has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their tri-nations champion squad over the summer.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.