The outcome of Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ appeal against his URC suspension has been confirmed following an independent hearing held on Wednesday

0 136 1 minute read

Wessels appeal verdict delivered

Wessels’ ban has been reduced from nine weeks to eight, meaning he will be able to play again from 20 December.

The Springbok front-rower had appealed his suspension for allegedly grabbing Connacht flanker Josh Murphy’s testicles during the Bulls’ URC match in Galway.

Wessels was not punished during the game itself, as officials found the video evidence inconclusive, while Murphy – who struck Wessels in retaliation – received a 20-minute red card that was later rescinded by the same disciplinary panel.

In the appeal hearing chaired by Scotland’s Roddy MacLeod, alongside Achille Reali (Italy) and Robert Milligan KC (Scotland), the Bulls requested a de novo hearing (a complete retrial). However, the panel ruled there were no “exceptional circumstances” to allow it.

Instead, the case was reviewed on the basis of whether the initial panel had erred in its findings or the length of the ban.

The committee ultimately dismissed most of the Bulls’ arguments but decided to reduce Wessels’ suspension by one week as 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.

The URC said both the original and appeal reports will be published in due course but confirmed the matter is now closed.

Eight matches Wessels is unavailable for:

Glasgow Warriors vs Bulls, 24 October, URC
South Africa vs Japan, 1 November, end-of-year tour
France vs South Africa, 8 November, end-of-year tour
Italy vs South Africa, 15 November, end-of-year tour
Ireland vs South Africa, 22 November, end-of-year tour
Bulls vs Lions, 29 November, URC / Wales vs South Africa, 29 November, end-of-year tour
Bulls vs Bordeaux Begles, 6 December, Investec Champions Cup
Northampton Saints vs Bulls, 14 December, Investec Champions Cup