Springbok Forward Wessels Given Nine-Game Ban for Inappropriate Contact

South Africa prop Wessels has been suspended of nine matches for making contact with opponent Josh Murphy's private parts during the Blue Bulls' URC win over the Irish province.

The altercation occurred in the early stages of the close contest in Galway on Friday, with opposing player Murphy being shown a 20-minute red card after responding aggressively by hitting Wessels on the head.

Following Murphy complained to referee Mike Adamson, the situation was reviewed by the television match official, who found no conclusive video evidence.

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

While the United Rugby Championship announced that the Irish player's temporary sending-off was rescinded by a governing body, Wessels was found to have violated law 9.27, which specifies:

"Any athlete should not do anything that is contrary to the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes touching, twisting or compressing the private areas."

The panel concluded that the incident met the red card threshold and justified a 12-week suspension, the minimum suspension under World Rugby regulations for such an infringement.

However, Wessels' ban was reduced by 21 days because of his cooperative behavior during the hearing and his good record.

The forward and the Bulls have the right to challenge the decision, but currently, the suspension will prevent the 24-year-old out of the South African national team's fall internationals against Japan, France, Italy and Ireland.

He will additionally be absent for the Bulls' league matches against Warriors, the Emirates Lions and the Sharks, as well as European cup fixtures with Bordeaux and Northampton.

The prop has won 10 caps for the Springboks and was included in their tri-nations champion team over the summer.

Murphy, meanwhile, is available to play against the Irish rivals in this weekend's inter-provincial derby after being cleared.