'No other footage': Bulls lodge an appeal against Bok's ban
NEWS: Bulls head coach Johann Ackermann confirmed that there was no new footage in Jan-Hendrik Wessels’ disciplinary hearing.
The Springbok received a nine-match ban for grabbing Josh Murphy’s testicles during the Bulls’ 28-27 win over Connacht in Galway in Round Four of the United Rugby Championship.
The incident occurred in the 18th minute of the game after Murphy and Wessels became entangled at the breakdown. As they went to ground, Murphy lashed out twice.
Murphy accused Wessels of testicle grabbing, but there was no conclusive evidence for the match officials to review. Deliberation with TMO Hollie Davidson did not yield any confirmation of the alleged claim.
However, Wessels was punished six days later after the panel overseeing the disciplinary process “were satisfied that an act of foul play had occurred and found the incident met the Red Card threshold”.
After his side’s 12-21 defeat to Glasgow in their final tour match on Friday, Ackermann confirmed that the Bulls have appealed the decision.
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#UPDATE: ‘Grabbing, twisting or squeezing’: URC reveal statement on Bok’s huge ban 👇#URC #Springboks #Bulls #SouthAfrica https://t.co/1xY0RPCkol
— Rugby365 (@rugby365com) October 23, 2025
“There was no other footage that I was aware of that brought a different view, ” said Ackerman.
“The facts in the hearing were the facts they made the decision on.
“I am not going to say too much because the appeal is in, so now we are just waiting for a date.”
Wessel’s nine-match ban currently rules him out of the Springboks’ five-match tour, which begins against Japan at Wembley Stadium next weekend.
He will also miss the Bulls Champions Cup opener against title-holders Bordeaux Begles as well as URC derbies against the Lions and the Sharks.
