Latest twist in Jan-Hendrik Wessels saga as Bulls and SA Rugby consider court action

The Jan-Hendrik Wessels saga is not done yet, as the Bulls are considering challenging the eight-week suspension in an Irish court.

The front-rower allegedly grabbed and twisted Connacht flanker Josh Murphy’s testicles during the URC clash in Galway, and despite no conclusive video footage of the incident, he was still handed a nine-week ban.

Wessels attempted to appeal the ban, asking for a de novo hearing (an all-new hearing), which was rejected and ultimately resulted in a week reduction.

Next steps for Bulls and Wessels

Scotsman Roddy MacLeod chaired the independent appeal committee, who deemed that there were not exceptional circumstances to allow the request of a de novo hearing.

“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,” a statement confirming the failed appeal read.

“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.”

Usually, this is where the process would conclude, but according to a report by Rapport, the Bulls are weighing up another move to restore Wessels’ reputation and recoup some lost income – it is reported that the front-rower’s suspension has cost him around R1.5 million (about £65,800) in match fees with the Springboks and Bulls.

“The Bulls are currently considering their options. A decision will be made between the Bulls, SA Rugby and MyPlayers,” a source told Rapport.

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If the Bulls do decide to go down this route, they are set to enlist heavyweight Irish lawyer Frank Clarke, who served as Chief Justice of Ireland from 2017 to 2021. He has already been involved with the case as he assisted the Bulls in the failed appeal.

A potential court battle is bound to be a lengthy and complex process, but one that the Bulls and Wessels could deem worthwhile to recover lost monies and also clear the forward’s name.

READ MORE: Exclusive: Full details emerge of Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ ban and Josh Murphy’s role in it