South African Player Wessels Handed Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

Springbok front-rower Wessels faces a suspension of nine games for grabbing opponent Josh Murphy's genitals during the Blue Bulls' United Rugby Championship victory over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the narrow victory in Galway on last Friday, with opposing player Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after striking back by striking the South African on the head.

After 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 pitch until he was replaced in the second half of the match.

Although the URC confirmed that Murphy's temporary sending-off was overturned by a disciplinary panel, the Springbok was deemed to have violated law 9.27, which states:

"A player must not do anything that is against the principles of fair play. This includes touching, pulling or squeezing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the incident reached the level for dismissal and justified a 12-week suspension, the shortest suspension under international rugby regulations for such an infringement.

Nonetheless, the player's ban was shortened by three weeks because of his good conduct during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Pretoria-based team are entitled to challenge the decision, but as it stands, the ban will rule the young player out of the Springboks' fall internationals against the Brave Blossoms, France, the Azzurri and Ireland.

Wessels will also miss the his club's league matches against Glasgow, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup games with Bègles and Saints.

The prop has won ten international appearances for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion squad during the recent tournament.

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