South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Game Suspension for Genital Grab

Springbok prop Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over Connacht.

This event took place in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by hitting the South African on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was examined by the TMO, who concluded no definitive proof.

The Bulls player stayed on the pitch until he was replaced in the later stages of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship confirmed that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, Wessels was found to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

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

The panel were satisfied that the incident reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's suspension was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but currently, the suspension will rule the young player out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the Bulls' URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for South Africa and was included in their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

Murphy, in contrast, is eligible to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being cleared.