South African Player Wessels Receives Nine-Match Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for making contact with Josh Murphy's private parts during the Bulls' United Rugby Championship win over Connacht.

The altercation took place in the 18th minute of the close contest against Connacht on last Friday, with opposing player Murphy receiving a temporary dismissal after responding aggressively by striking Wessels on the head area.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the TMO, who found no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's temporary sending-off was withdrawn by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not engage in actions that is against the principles of fair play. Such behavior covers touching, pulling or squeezing 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 regulations for such an offence.

However, Wessels' ban was shortened by three weeks because of his cooperative behavior during the proceedings and his good record.

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 Springboks' fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

Wessels has earned ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

The Connacht player, in contrast, is available to play against Munster in this weekend's domestic clash after being exonerated.