Jan-Hendrik Wessels latest: Springboks star learns appeal fate after ‘controversial’ ban over alleged grope as URC deem the ‘matter closed’
Springboks and Bulls forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels has failed in his attempt to appeal the nine-week ban handed to him for allegedly groping Connacht’s Josh Murphy in the United Rugby Championship clash in Galway.
The suspension has proven highly controversial, with no video evidence to support Murphy’s claims, with the disciplinary panel deeming that he had “committed an act of foul play” in that he grabbed and twisted the testicles of the Connacht player as alleged by Murphy and the Citing Commissioner.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels fails to appeal ban
While both players were seen as “credible” witnesses, Wessels’ oral evidence was noted as “brief” in comparison to Murphy’s, which was deemed “clear and detailed by the committee.”
The Bulls and Springboks forward opted to appeal the suspension handed down to him in order to clear his name and wipe out the ban, but failed in doing so with the URC confirming the news on Wednesday.
“An Independent Appeal Hearing was held today (Wednesday, October 29) regarding the citing and subsequent suspension of Jan-Hendrik Wessels of the Vodacom Bulls which had resulted in a nine-game ban,” a statement read.
“An independent appeal committee led by Roddy MacLeod (Scotland) as Chair alongside Achille Reali (Italy) & Robert Milligan KC (Scotland) convened to determine the appeal.
“The Player and the Club requested a de novo hearing [new hear]. However, having regard to the United Rugby Championship’s disciplinary rules, the panel considered that there were not exceptional circumstance to allow the request.
Exclusive: Full details emerge of Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ ban and Josh Murphy’s role in it
“Accordingly, the appeal proceeded on the basis that the Player and the Club wished to challenge the decision of the initial hearing and the length of the ban. The basis of such an appeal requires an appellant to demonstrate that the first instance disciplinary panel erred in its findings.
“After reviewing the grounds of appeal and hearing from the Player and his Club the appeal committee dismissed the substantive grounds of appeal, but reduced the ban by one week.
“The panel did so on the basis that the initial reduction from the low-end entry point (of 12 weeks) did not take into account an aspect of the Player’s conduct in the context of the case. Accordingly, the appeal committee determined that four weeks should be deducted from the headline entry suspension.
“The Player will now miss eight games and will be free to play from December 20.”
While the reports from the initial hearing and the subsequent appeal were not released by the URC, the competition organisers state that once the final written reports are completed they will be published.
The competition added that they deem the “matter to be closed”.
Fixtures Jan-Hendrik Wessels is unavailable for:
• Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls, 24 October 2025 BKT URC
• South Africa v Japan, 1 November 2025, Castle Lager Outgoing Tour
• France v South Africa, 8 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series
• Italy v South Africa, 15 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series
• Ireland v South Africa, 22 November 2025, Quilter Nations Series
• Vodacom Bulls v Lions, 29 November 2025 BKT URC / Wales v South Africa, 29 November
• Vodacom Bulls v Bordeaux Begles, 6 December 2025, Investec Champions Cup
• Northampton Saints v Vodacom Bulls, 14 December 2025, Investec Champions Cup
READ MORE: Revealed: What Josh Murphy said to the citing commissioner over alleged Jan-Hendrik Wessels ‘grope’
