URC breaks silence on Jan-Hendrik Wessels accusations as Springboks star learns disciplinary fate on groping charge
Bulls and Springboks forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels and an inset of Connacht's Josh Murphy.
The United Rugby Championship have broken its silence on the accusations levelled at Jan-Hendrik Wessels after being accused of groping Connacht flanker Josh Murphy.
Reports on Wednesday stated that the Springboks front-rower had been handed a nine-week suspension, which the URC has confirmed to be the case, issuing a statement on Thursday.
Wessels was omitted from the Bulls squad to face the Glasgow Warriors at Scotstoun Stadium on Friday evening, but the player and club have the right to appeal the ban.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels banned
“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. This meant that Wessels escaped sanction on the day, while Murphy was issued with a 20-minute red card for lashing out at the Bulls’ front-rower, whom he repeatedly punched.
The outcome of Murphy’s disciplinary process has yet to be disclosed by the URC which provided just the essential details on Wessels’ case in its statement.
Springboks star slapped with MAMMOTH ban after groping accusation despite lack of footage
Lack of evidence
However, South African journalist Brenden Nel reports that “no new tv evidence” to support Murphy’s claims “were used to convict Wessels.”
I’ve made my enquiries and it was confirmed that no new tv evidence was presented. So what we saw on tv was used to convict him, which is really gobsmacking
— Brenden Nel (@Brendennel) October 23, 2025
It’s understood that the ban issued to the Bok front-rower will be appealed, particularly after Rassie Erasmus hit out at the decision before it was made public.
In a somewhat cryptic post on social media platform X, formerly Twitter, Erasmus wrote: “It just got tougher!! We now have to beat them on the field. and in the boardrooms. Hamba man. Tsek. Loop Kak.”
This comes after Springboks and Sharks winger Makazole Mapimpi was handed a five-week ban for his dangerous tackle on Ulster back Mike Lowry at the weekend.
Mapimpi will miss the Sharks meeting with the Scarlets this weekend as well as four of the Springboks’ five matches during the November internationals.
As for Wessels, if he does not appeal or is unsuccessful in appealing the decision, he will not only miss the clash against Glasgow but also all of the Springboks’ Autumn Nations Series fixtures. He will also be banned for the URC clash against the Lions, played on the same day as South Africa’s Test against Wales, and the Pretoria-based side’s opening two Investec Champions Cup matches versus Bordeaux and Northampton Saints. The final game of his ban would be the meeting with the Sharks in Durban on December 20.
Fixtures 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
Vodacom Bulls v Bordeaux Begles, 6 December 2025, Investec Champions Cup
Northampton Saints v Vodacom Bulls, 14 December 2025, Investec Champions Cup
Hollywoodbets Sharks v Vodacom Bulls, 20 December 2025 BKT URC
