RUGBY NEWS - The Bulls have finally located their missing Springbok winger, S’bu Nkosi.
Nkosi is, according to all indications, physically unharmed but apparently his mental health is not doing so well.
He is apparently suffering from severe depression.
After the entire rugby world was waiting to hear about the well-being of this Springbok star, he was located with his family in Mpumalanga on Monday.
According to the Bulls’ president, Willem Strauss, not much more information can be given at this stage.
What is known is that the Bull’s CEO, Edgar Rathbone, is with the family in person and discussions are currently being held with them about the circumstances surrounding Nkosi’s disappearance and especially about his mental state.
It is not known whether SAPS were involved in the attempt to locate Nkosi.
During early inquiries at the Sunnyside police office, Rekord was referred to Captain Mavela Masondo, the senior police communications officer in Gauteng. However, he did not answer his cellphone and a text message to his phone was also ignored.
The Bulls said in a statement earlier today that stories that the player has been tracked down are not true.
“We continue to receive tip-offs and information from the public (through the info@bluebull.co.za line we shared in the initial club statement) and all these are being shared with the police as well as other relevant stakeholders who are assisting in the matter.
We continue to appeal to the wider public to share any information they have that may help with the case,” read the statement.
According to the statement, Nkosi’s disappearance has since attracted international attention.
Nkosi was selected for the Springboks tour to Europe at the end of October, but he suffered an injury in the Bulls’ last match before this tour, which prevented him from accompanying the national team.
He apparently did the first part of his rehabilitation with the Bulls and later even trained with his provincial teammates, until November 14. Since then, he has not been seen at Loftus again and no one has had any contact with him since he apparently was also not responding to calls and messages.
Strauss confirmed to Rekord late yesterday afternoon that Nkosi had indeed been located and that Rathbone was handling the situation personally.
Bulls coach Jake White told Witbank News that Nkosi was found at this father’s house in eMalahleni earlier today. “Sbu is safe and sound,” White confirmed.
The incident is not the first time the winger is in the spotlight.
He was released from the Bulls’ United Rugby Championship tour of Europe in October after he broke team protocols by missing a meeting.
He also made headlines previously after he missed a Springbok training camp and a test match against Wales after he reportedly failed to renew his passport.
It remains unclear why he had not reported for duty for the past three weeks.
