What a balls-up from the Welsh URC disciplinary judiciary
The question is a simple one. The referee saw nothing, the Television Match Official saw nothing, so what did the Welsh judiciary see to convict and sentence Bulls utility forward Jan-Hendrik Wessels to a nine match suspension? asks Mark Keohane
Surely, a decision can only be reached on what was seen and not what one player says and the other opposes?
The judicial process at the URC has been inconsistent, at best, and a shocker at worst.
None has quite reached this level, with a player sent to the gallows on the basis of an allegation from an opposing player that cannot be confirmed through any visual evidence.
This is a low point in the league’s history and it sets a precedent for any allegation screamed from a player during any game.
Welsh rugby is at its lowest point in its storied history, and an all-Welsh Judicial Committee’s handling of this situation is consistent with the worst of Wales’s record 18 successive Tests defeats.
JAN-HENDRIK WESSELS (CITING)
The Disciplinary process related to Jan-Hendrik Wessels citing in the Vodacom United Rugby Championship Round 4 game against Connacht Rugby on Friday, October 17 has resulted in a nine game suspension.
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 (all Welsh) 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.
Fixtures Jan-Hendrik Wessels is unavailable for:
Glasgow Warriors v Vodacom Bulls, 24 October 2025 Vodacom 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 Vodacom 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 Vodacom URC
The Player and the Club have the right to appeal.
*PLEASE APPEAL AND EMBARRASS THOSE RESPONSIBLE FOR THIS WOEFUL WELSH BIAS
On what basis did they make their finding?
In all other instances, the finding is supported with a report that speaks to the visuals. This one does not.
AFRICAPICKS: YOUR BETTING GUIDE TO THE URC
Rapport’s Hendrik Cronje was on the money in highlighting the contradiction in application of the charge, where there is precedent.
— Hendrik Cronjé (@hendrikcronje71) October 23, 2025
Via Rugbypass 👇 https://t.co/7PuamlUFU7 pic.twitter.com/9BY2exkYRE
— Hendrik Cronjé (@hendrikcronje71) October 23, 2025
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
