Springboks front row Jan-Hendrik Wessels is set to receive a nine-week ban for his actions in a recent URC clash against Connacht, although South African rugby fans are now up in arms in what they believe is a farcical punishment for a questionable incident.
The incident in question came during first half of the Bulls’ 28-27 victory over Connacht in Galway last weekend. At the time, Connacht prop Josh Murphy suggested that Wessels had groped him him while the Irishman attempted a clear out in a ruck.
Murphy would go on to strike out at Wessels. The play was reviewed at the time, although referee Mike Adamson opted against punishing the South African due to a lack of clear evidence. Instead, Murphy was handed a 20-minute red card for striking out.
You can see the incident below.
Jan-Hendrik Wessels has reportedly received a nine-week suspension for foul play, despite there being no video evidence of the incident.
Here is the video of the incident.
— Darren (@SaffasRugby) October 23, 2025
At the time, Connacht captain Cian Prendergast suggested that Murphy’s reaction was a clear indication that something untoward had taken place.
Cian Prendergast to the referee:
“He’s clearly got pulled out of his balls there.”
One of the more unusual/strong allegations that you wouldn’t imagine a player would make if it wasn’t true.
Video evidence inconclusive in Josh Murphy’s case.
— Cian Tracey (@CianTracey1) October 17, 2025
While Jan-Hendrik Wessels went unpunished at the time, he will now be hit with a retrospective ban.
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South Africans Furious Over Ban For Hooker After Connacht Incident
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Jan-Hendrik Wessels is set to serve a nine-week suspension for his actions in the win over Connacht, a ban that also rules him out of South Africa’s upcoming autumn internationals against Japan, France, Italy, Ireland, and Wales.
While he may yet appeal the decision, the news has been met with an interesting reaction in South African rugby circles.
A number of supporters in the country have labelled the suspension as a farce due to a lack of evidence, also claiming potential conspiracy over the fact that the ban was decided on by Irishman and World Rugby judicial officer Dan Goodwin.
Perhaps the Springbok players shouldn’t play in the URC this weekend
The URC disciplinary committee is chaired by an Irishman
South Africa play Ireland in a few weeks time…….as we saw with Mapimpi and JH Wessels’ bans, there are some below the table tactics at play here
— Scrumming Flyhalf (@scrumming_ten) October 23, 2025
I would love to hear on what evidence Jan-Hendrik Wessels got banned for 9 weeks. It is absolutely shocking. We are setting an unwanted standard here where players get banned for hearsay.
— Hendrik Cronjé (@hendrikcronje71) October 22, 2025
I don’t see how you ban someone for a reported 9 weeks without incontrovertible evidence that proves not only was there contact, but that it was deliberate.
Testimony from the alleged victim alone clearly would (should) not suffice. And it’s also clear there’s nothing in the…
— A-P (@rugby_ap) October 23, 2025
Rassie Erasmus has also spoken out.
The Spingboks coach has suggested that Wessels’ ban from the northern hemisphere authorities means that his team have to beat the opposition both ‘on the field and in the boardrooms’.
It just got tougher !! We now have to beat them on the field. and in the boardrooms. Hamba man. Tsek. Loop Kak
— Johan Erasmus (@RassieRugby) October 23, 2025
As things stand, Jan-Hendrik Wessels will not be available for the five South Africa test games over the coming weeks.
The Springboks will visit Dublin on November 22nd, a fixture that now looks even more enticing on the back of this latest incident.
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