Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Match Suspension 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' URC win over Connacht.

The altercation happened in the early stages of the Bulls' 28-27 win against Connacht on Friday, with Connacht forward Josh Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by striking the South African on the head.

After the Connacht player reported the incident to referee Mike Adamson, the contact was checked by the television match official, who determined no conclusive video evidence.

The Bulls player remained on the field until he was replaced in the later stages of the game.

While the United Rugby Championship announced that Murphy's 20-minute red card was overturned by a governing body, Wessels was deemed to have breached law 9.27, which specifies:

"A player should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, pulling or compressing the private areas."

Disciplinary officials were satisfied that the contact met the level for dismissal and justified a three-month ban, the minimum ban under international rugby rules for such an violation.

However, Wessels' suspension was reduced by three weeks because of his good conduct prior to and at the hearing and his good record.

Wessels and the Bulls have the right to appeal, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's autumn Tests against the Brave Blossoms, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will also miss the his club's URC games against Warriors, the Lions and the Cell C Sharks, as well as Investec Champions Cup fixtures with Bègles and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was part of their Rugby Championship-winning squad during the recent tournament.

The Connacht player, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in Saturday's domestic clash after being exonerated.