Bulls and Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi has returned to rugby after a period on the sidelines that included going AWOL for three weeks as he battled mental health issues.

Nkosi is back in training with the South African franchise and will hope to now make a last push for a place in the Boks’ Rugby World Cup squad.

“Firstly, I want to say thank you. Thank you to the team, the Vodacom Bulls family and the people of South Africa who have shown me unwavering support over these last few months,” he said. “It took some time but I am happy that I am back where I belong and that would have never been possible without the love and kindness I have received.

“The overflow of support allowed me to find comfort and confidence in that I am no lesser human being for acknowledging and accepting that I am not okay. The support I received allowed me to find my feet again and the only thing I can do now, is to pay it forward so that others can be empowered to know that the sun will rise again, even when it does not look like it.

“Rugby has been everything to me but for a while, because of life, I had lost that connection and needed to take time away so that I can find my centre again and rezone. Thankfully, the company and team, Edgar [Rathbone] and Jake [White] allowed me that time to be away and it has meant the world of good for me, my family and my health. Not many people get this opportunity and that is not lost on me.

“I come back committed and willing to put in the yards as my way of paying back all the support I received. It feels wildly refreshing to be able to say I am back and I am raring to go! The fire within is brewing and I cannot wait to set foot in the stadium again.”