Bulls Jake White Nkosi

Bulls coach Jake White. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

Jake White hits back at Nkosi: You’re a big boy!

Bulls coach Jake White has hit back at a social media post from Sbu Nkosi, while suggesting he needs to start proving himself on the pitch

Bulls Jake White Nkosi

Bulls coach Jake White. Photo: Ryan Wilkisky/BackpagePix

This past weekend, Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi suggested his time playing for a World XV was a refreshing, judgement free, experience as they took on the Barbarians at Twickenham.

Nkosi scored two tries in a memorable performance that reminded everyone of his enduring ability, which comes after the talented wing has endured a period of off-field struggles, including a scare towards the end of last year when the 27-year-old went missing. He was eventually found, but later admitted to suffering from serious mental health struggles.

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Nkosi, who has apparently been “coming and going” from Bulls training, took to social media with a cryptic post, suggesting his experience with the World XV was a game-changer.

“It was reviving to my passion, to spend a mere week with men who are pure of heart,” he commented. “A break from being judged by men who are bigger in their minds than they are in reality.”

It now appears that Bulls coach Jake White took this personally, and he has hit back with some strong statements of his own.

“He’s a talented player but I’m very disappointed with what he wrote on social media. He knows that I’ve had a meeting with him,” White stated. “Considering the Bulls let him go and play in a game overseas… to read the comments he made was obviously disappointing.

“He’s got to make decisions [about his future], he’s a big boy now. He’s got to make decisions about where he wants to go, and it’s not always in anyone else’s hands other than the player.

“At this point in time, he’s not playing well enough, he’s not training hard enough, I don’t see him enough for him to warrant selection above guys who have been training in the group anyway.

“It’s not for me to discuss a guy’s future; as I said he’s a big boy now, a World Cup-winning Springbok – he must make decisions about where he wants to be and make sure those decisions are in the best interests of himself and the club.”

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It’s been suggested that Nkosi should head overseas

At the Bulls, concerns have recently arisen once again after Nkosi was seen to be “missing” from some training sessions. Last month, White explained to Sport24 that the situation is extremely complex.

“Sbu is here, he’s training now, but he comes and goes,” White told News24 exclusively. “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. Edgar [Rathbone, Bulls CEO] 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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White added that he felt Nkosi desperately needed guidance and perhaps a fresh start overseas.

“I’ve spoken to his agent, and my honest feeling is he needs to find something overseas. I think he’s mixed up here or he’s in a net here, but I don’t have evidence of anything,” said White.

“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.”

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Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi Photo Steve Haag
Bulls and Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi. Photo: Steve Haag.