Bulls boss Jake White has tipped his hat to winger Sbu Nkosi, who returns to action in the United Rugby Championship match against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld on Saturday.
Nkosi, who previously played for the Sharks and was a member of the 2019 Springbok World Cup winning team, recently revealed his struggles with mental health.
The 27-year-old went AWOL from Loftus Versfeld in the latter stages of last year. He was later found at his father’s home in Mpumalanga.
‘proud of strangers’
Saturday’s game will be Nkosi’s first since returning to the Bulls. As the Pretoria-based side were beaten 23-19 – for the fifth time in a row by the Stormers – Nkosi scored a try and enjoyed a fine outing.
The White Bulls director of rugby said he was proud of the winger.
“I am the father. I have sons who are 31 and 27. One should not be scolded because you have to take care of yourself,” said Putih about Nkosi.
“He’s a Springbok, he’s a World Cup winner and he wants to play rugby. I’m not going to judge him. I’m proud of the guy, the way he came back.
‘Good story’
White added: “It was tough for him. He didn’t touch the ball and then he had to go out and play in front of 41,000 people. It was a great message, a great story.
“I also want to commend the Bulls and (CEO) Edgar Rathbone for the way they handled the situation. Now we have to make sure we continue to help them, consistently.
White, who also suffered a recent health scare and had to undergo emergency surgery earlier in the year, jokingly said: “I’m glad he (Nkosi) scored another try and won the game.”
Despite losing to the Stormers, the Bulls still managed to play in the URC playoffs this season. White’s team is sixth in the points table after eight wins from 14 matches. He had 41 points.
The Stormers are second (behind Leinster) with 54 points. The Sharks are seventh with 38 points, while the Lions are 14th with 24 points.