Vodacom Bulls director of rugby Jake White has suggested that an overseas move might do Sbu Nkosi some good, as the absent Springbok wing’s off-field “battles” persist.
Nkosi returned from a mental health break in try-scoring form for the Bulls, only to suffer a setback that led to his non-selection for a month. The 27-year-old has not played since the Blue Bulls’ 41-33 defeat to Western Province in the Currie Cup on 17 March.
His mental health issues came out late last year after he was reported as a missing person by his employers and speaking to News24, White explained that while the Bulls are understanding of Nkosi’s situation, a change of scenery might be better for him.
“I’ve spoken to his agent, and my honest feeling is he needs to find something overseas,” White said. “I think he’s mixed up here or he’s in a net here, but I don’t have evidence of anything.
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“When he was at the Sharks [the disappearance] happened and it happened here. I’m not sure if he doesn’t need to get away and start again. I think he battles with whatever [that’s bothering him]. My gut feeling is that I don’t think he battles with anything other than that he needs to get his life sorted.
“He was married and had a child, but he’s now got a girlfriend and he’s got two kids with her. If that was my son and he was 26, 27 years old, I would worry about him. He needs some guidance. I think that’s when he runs away… that he needs some guidance.”
He added: “Sbu is here, he’s training now, but he comes and goes. It’s one of those things where you can’t put pressure on him when he’s not here because you don’t know what he’s going through.
“He could be missing Monday and Tuesday, and you can’t be hard on him because he could be struggling. It’s one of those really difficult situations, unless you really know what’s going on.
“And he doesn’t share that, which we also respect. You can’t force that out of someone. He’s got a full-time psychologist who works with ours.
“[Blue Bulls CEO] Edgar [Rathbone] speaks to his dad a lot. It’s not like he’s in the wilderness; there is definitely communication, but you can’t push too hard.”
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