Experienced Hendricks offers support to 'brother' Nkosi: I'm proud of him for seeking help

Bulls utility back Cornal Hendricks said he's more than ready to offer his shoulder as a place to cry on for returning wing S'bu Nkosi and have coffee with him once the storm around his absence subsides.

Nkosi, who went AWOL last year for three weeks before being found in his hometown of Barberton in early December, returned to the Bulls last week.

Hendricks, who missed out on his prime rugby years between 2016 and 2018 because of a heart issue, said he understood the dark hole Nkosi found himself in.

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Nkosi's return to the Bulls also coincides with director of rugby Jake White's return from abdominal surgery as the Bulls prepare for the United Rugby Championship North/South Derby against the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld.

Hendricks said he wants Nkosi to be comfortable in telling his own story so that he can be an inspiration for others.

"I spent three years out of the game, and it was a tough time for me, but I thought I was fine, even though I didn't see someone," Hendricks said.

"Sometimes, these kinds of things catch up with you in later life, and I've realised now that if you talk to someone, it lightens the load.

"It helps to speak out because it helps you become yourself again, so I think it's helped with him. I'd like to have a coffee with him to hear his side of the story.

"We all have our side of the story to tell, and we all have a testimony when we go through stuff. We also want the world to know that you want to be an inspiration to others.

"When things settle down after a couple of games, I want to coffee with him and ask him what his battles were.

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