South African Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension for Genital Grab

South Africa front-rower Wessels has received a ban of nine matches for touching Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy receiving a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking Wessels on the head.

After Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the event was reviewed by the television match official, who determined insufficient clear footage.

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

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

"A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the genitals."

Disciplinary officials determined that the contact reached the level for dismissal and warranted a three-month ban, the minimum ban under World Rugby rules for such an violation.

However, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the proceedings and his clean disciplinary history.

The forward and the Bulls are entitled to appeal, but as it stands, the ban will rule the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against Japan, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's URC games against Glasgow, the Lions and the Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup games with Bègles and Northampton.

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

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