Springbok Forward Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event took place in the 18th minute of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after striking back by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

While the United Rugby Championship confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, the Springbok was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is contrary to the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers grabbing, twisting or compressing the genitals."

The panel determined that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior prior to and at the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to appeal, but currently, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the Springboks' autumn Tests against Japan, Les Bleus, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning team during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to face Munster in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.