In a recent twist of events that's sure to ruffle feathers and protective gear alike, Bulls and Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been slapped with a nine-week suspension. The URC disciplinary panel found him guilty of a move more commonly seen in a bar brawl than on a rugby pitch - specifically, "grabbing, twisting, or squeezing the genitals" of an opponent. This eye-watering incident unfolded during the 18th minute of a fiery clash between Connacht and the Bulls.
The drama started when Connacht's flanker, Josh Murphy, signaled distress to referee Mike Adamson following the unsolicited 'adjustment' from Wessels. Despite the absence of clear-cut video proof, the on-field saga led to Murphy being sent off for retaliating while Wessels played on. Post-match, the citing commissioner didn't turn a blind eye and flagged Wessels for foul play under Law 9.27, condemning actions detrimental to the spirit of good sportsmanship.
"Loop kak!"
The disciplinary panel, consisting of Declan Goodwin, Simon Thomas, and Leah Thomas—all hailing from Wales—reviewed the case and agreed unanimously that Wessels' actions crossed the line into red card territory. Initially faced with a 12-week timeout, Wessels saw his sentence reduced to nine weeks thanks to his previously clean slate and commendable behavior at the hearing.
This decision throws a spanner in the works for the Bulls' game plans, forcing a reshuffle in their front-row as they navigate the upcoming fixtures without their key man. Meanwhile, the early disciplinary trends for the URC 2025-26 season are beginning to take shape, providing plenty of fodder for punters and fans to chew over, especially in light of this high-profile incident.
As the Bulls and Springboks recalibrate their squads in response to this setback, the rugby community will no doubt keep a keen eye on how such disciplinary actions impact team dynamics and league standings. One thing's for sure, the incident has added an extra layer of intrigue (and caution around the nether regions) to this season's URC matchups.
Teams mentioned: Connacht, Bulls, Springboks, United Rugby Championship.
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In a recent twist of events that's sure to ruffle feathers and protective gear alike, Bulls and Springbok prop Jan-Hendrik Wessels has been slapped with a nine-week suspension. The URC disciplinary panel found him guilty of a move more commonly seen in a bar brawl than on a rugby pitch - specifically, "grabbing, twisting, or squeezing the genitals" of an opponent. This eye-watering incident unfolded during the 18th minute of a fiery clash between Connacht and the Bulls.
The drama started when Connacht's flanker, Josh Murphy, signaled distress to referee Mike Adamson following the unsolicited 'adjustment' from Wessels. Despite the absence of clear-cut video proof, the on-field saga led to Murphy being sent off for retaliating while Wessels played on. Post-match, the citing commissioner didn't turn a blind eye and flagged Wessels for foul play under Law 9.27, condemning actions detrimental to the spirit of good sportsmanship.
"Loop kak!"
The disciplinary panel, consisting of Declan Goodwin, Simon Thomas, and Leah Thomas—all hailing from Wales—reviewed the case and agreed unanimously that Wessels' actions crossed the line into red card territory. Initially faced with a 12-week timeout, Wessels saw his sentence reduced to nine weeks thanks to his previously clean slate and commendable behavior at the hearing.
This decision throws a spanner in the works for the Bulls' game plans, forcing a reshuffle in their front-row as they navigate the upcoming fixtures without their key man. Meanwhile, the early disciplinary trends for the URC 2025-26 season are beginning to take shape, providing plenty of fodder for punters and fans to chew over, especially in light of this high-profile incident.
As the Bulls and Springboks recalibrate their squads in response to this setback, the rugby community will no doubt keep a keen eye on how such disciplinary actions impact team dynamics and league standings. One thing's for sure, the incident has added an extra layer of intrigue (and caution around the nether regions) to this season's URC matchups.
Teams mentioned: Connacht, Bulls, Springboks, United Rugby Championship.