The United Rugby Championship has confirmed that Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been handed a nine-week ban following an incident involving Connacht’s Josh Murphy.
In a statement issued on Thursday, the URC said the sanction followed a disciplinary process after Wessels was accused of groping Murphy during a recent match.
Wessels has been left out of the Bulls’ squad to face the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday, and unless he is successful on appeal, will miss the Springboks’ entire end-of-year tour in November.
“The disciplinary process related to Jan-Hendrik Wessels, citing in the BKT United Rugby Championship Round 4 game against Connacht Rugby on Friday, October 17 has resulted in a nine-game suspension,” a URC statement read.
“The Citing Commissioner in charge reported Vodacom Bulls player No 2 (Jan-Hendrik Wessels), for an act of foul play in the 18th minute under Law 9.27 – A player must not do anything that is against the spirit of good sportsmanship. This includes grabbing, twisting or squeezing the genitals.
“The panel overseeing the disciplinary process, Declan Goodwin (Chair, Wales), Simon Thomas (Wales) and Leah Thomas (Wales) were satisfied that an act of foul play had occurred and found the incident met the red card threshold, with entry of low-end warranting a 12-week suspension.
“The panel reduced the suspension by three weeks (25% mitigation) due to the player’s good conduct prior to and at the hearing and good record which results in a nine-game suspension.”
Referee Mike Adamson reviewed the allegation that Murphy made during the match, but he and TMO Hollie Davidson were unable to find sufficient evidence of foul play.
The Bulls have reportedly confirmed that no new video evidence was presented at the hearing and Wessels was allegedly banned on the same footage that the refereeing team viewed during the match.
As a result, the Bulls are determined to appeal the nine-week suspension handed down to Wessels on Wednesday.
“The Vodacom Bulls fully respect and will adhere to the judicial process, which provides for an appeal opportunity,” Bulls chief executive Edgar Rathbone said.
Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus also appeared to weigh in on X on Thursday, reacting angrily to the news after selecting Wessels in his 36-man squad for the end-of-year tour in November.
“It just got tougher!” Erasmus tweeted. “We now have to beat them on the field and in the boardrooms.”
