Sbu made a statement
There’s obviously a lot to speak about that I can’t say out loud but my condition is improving,” Nkosi told News24.
“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.
“There’s a lot, but I’m at a point where I need to prioritise the person before the rugby player right now,” Nkosi added. “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 also had disciplinary issues at the Sharks, where he began his professional rugby career in 2015, and also didn’t report for duty during a period in Durban.
The 26-year-old called for greater focus to be paid to the mental health of rugby players, both at the grassroots and elite levels of the game.
“I’m not special or different or unique in any way. I think it’s something that needs to be focused on a bit more, whether you’re on top or at the bottom. It’s always a rollercoaster.
“Maybe a little effort needs to be put into how the guys manage the wave of emotions that come with the good and bad times. A lot of things are out of your control as a rugby player.
“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.”
Nkosi added that he was sorry for letting down the Vodacom Bulls and the people that brought him to Pretoria to give a new lease of life to his career.
“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,” he said.
“Those were proud moments for me. I’m sorry to the people who brought me over to make a difference. I’m sorry that they brought me when I was in this stage of my life.”
The more I read shit like this the more I dislike the Sharks or as Ashwin Willemse calls it SAAARKS.
How many young players does that franchise destroy. They have never had a reputation for developing talent but have in the early days bought themselves out of the old division 2 currie cup.
They have continue this trend of buying in players for success. Although, there have been some fantastic players on display but none of them were from Natal.
I think Andre Joubert, Hannibal etc were from other provinces.
But also seeing how Libbok and Roos was treated just makes me shudder.
The sharks are not the only Franchises.
Then, look at a player like Rhodes who couldn't settle at a union but went to Saracens and immediately became a super star for them.
Listen to Schalc Burger and Brits talk about how well they were treated. Listen to the expat SA players who found a new lease of life in England on how professional and well they are treated.
They all state that SA unions are obsessed with youth and trying to bring the next player through and not allowing enough time for players to develop.
I think our franchises have gotten a lot better, Jake is doing a great job at the Bulls, Arendse, Moodie, Louw etc have all put their hands up. The lions have backed their youngsters even though they didn't have a great season. The Stormers are miracle workers in my mind. I thought that they would suffer from 2nd season syndrome but a player like Dyamani to name a few all have performed way above our expectations.
The only Franchise that still operate in the old mentality is the Saarks.
This is a brave statement from Sbu. I hope he gets the help he needs and a really appreciate how the bulls have handled this.
SA rugby never short of a drama.
At least, he did not run away from a contract looking for a better paycheck and shooting a friend in a hunting incident.
True Trad, but that wasn't even a hunting incident, just an idiot with a gun that pulled the trigger in the house without even checking if it was loaded
At some point, Sbu also needs to take responsibility for his own actions....
Sbu has a long history now, of causing his own personal problems, and sometimes it is just far too easy to blame it on mental health....
Actions have consequences, and when something goes wrong, blaming it on mental health is the easy way out, and to get sympathy for something you have done wrong... which in his case, is now multiple times.... with different managers / coaches and franchises
I genuinely do hope that it really is that, and that he gets all the professional help that he can, and that he completely overcomes this.... but his history seems to be against him.....there is a trend here with him
What also still makes no sense at all, is why his own father would not at least contact the Bulls, who employ his son... and fill them in on how bad or serious things were for his own son, because at least then it would have been kept out of the media....
This all sounds wrong..... too made up...... too convenient
Well, that escalated quickly.
Saffex trying to outthink Plum...
I'm just observing with a lot of amusement yet another gaff. You have an obsession with arses old boy, what's that all about?
Glad he's ok ............ like slangetjie Jantjies, his Bok career's probably over ......... at least til the pair sort out their respective top two inches .
Well, how you reached adulthood does puzzle me.
When one is only 4ft, it doesn't take long, though you may not have meant "reached" quite so literally.
Imagine that, the neo-Lib Saffex throwing homosexual slurs around. Is there some Hippo to this Crit?
Much ado about nothing. Too many snowflakes around. This remind me of Naomi Osaka. Sbu needs to be mentored by Eben.
Strange that in this day and age that a man can go "missing" but living with his father.
With all the TV and reporters running around to find the "missing man" and his father says and does nothing.
Sounds to me like this must have been one hell of a trip that the individuals had.
Plum, I implore you, please stop feeding the pigeon. It is a rather nasty creature, and tends to defecate freely in our vicinity. Thanking you kindly.
