[imagesource: Twitter / @BlueBullsRugby]

On Sunday, rugby union the Bulls confirmed that winger Sbu Nkosi had gone AWOL and a missing person case had been opened at a Pretoria police station.

Rugby fans around the country expressed concern for the 2019 World Cup winner as news broke that it had been three weeks since he had communicated with his employer.

Phone calls, texts messages, calls to relatives and friends, and a number of house visits had been unsuccessful.

Thankfully, it was confirmed yesterday afternoon that 26-year-old Nkosi had been found at his father’s house in Emalahleni. The news came via a statement from the Bulls, reports The Daily Maverick:

“After lengthy and extensive efforts from the Bulls, in collaboration with (private security company) SSG — who have gone beyond their commercial responsibility — at 14:02pm on Monday 5 December 2022, Nkosi was located.

“Once it was established that Nkosi was safe, unharmed and in a position to speak, Chief Executive Edgar Rathbone went into Nkosi’s home (with the permission of the player), spending alone time with him, to understand how best the company can provide him with the support he needs and what that support is.”

The statement confirmed that a press conference would be held today to shed further light on the situation.

Obviously, with a lack of confirmed information, speculation ran wild. That can be put to bed after Nkosi granted Sport24 an interview to tell his story:

[He] says the reason he went “missing” was because he was battling mental health struggles brought on by weekly rugby pressures at the elite level…

“It’s just been a whole lot of mental pressure. It’s been building up for a couple of years now, since the Sharks saga, and it’s been a bit of a tough time.”

…”I just needed time. I’ve basically been curled up in a ball with my dad, and he’s been managing my mental state daily.”

Nkosi said that his decision to take an unannounced break from rugby meant he knew he was letting people down, which made things all the more difficult.

Prior disciplinary issues only added to the feeling that he had disappointed those close to him.

Stressing that professional sport is a rollercoaster of emotions, Nkosi said he hoped rugby unions would place a greater focus on managing player mental health going forward:

“Nobody really teaches us how to manage ourselves, our thoughts and our emotions. It’s harder for the guys that are in tune with their spirit and their emotions.

“I’ve had plenty teammates and I can tell you, not everyone is OK. It’s a tough environment.”

Bulls CEO Rathbone said the union would grant Nkosi a break from rugby and offer him whatever help he needs.

It’s unclear whether he will remain at the Bulls, with Nkosi saying, “It pains me that I couldn’t hold it down for longer. I would have loved to add more to the four games I played in the jersey.”

[sources:dailymav&sport24]