S'bu back on the horse: There's no better time, says White as Nkosi makes starting return at Loftus

Bulls director of rugby Jake White said there was no better time to reintroduce winger S'bu Nkosi, even if it's the crucible of the North/South Derby where the Bulls will be meeting the Stormers on Saturday.

Nkosi, who went AWOL late last year before being found at his Barberton home, has been handed a start at right wing for what is the Bulls' biggest home game since last year's United Rugby Championship quarter-final against the Sharks.

Nkosi last featured for the Bulls in their 40-27 home win against the Sharks at the end of October before his absence.

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White, who coached at the Jeppe High School for Boys, the same school Nkosi went to, said Nkosi was too talented not to be playing again.

"You can never know what the right time is. If guys like Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie were around, he would have been on the bench," White said.

"Sometimes, timing in life works wonderfully and I think he needs to play well, especially for himself.

"They often say that you need to get on the horse as soon as you can and if we go back, he's a World Cup winner.

Bulls

15 David Kriel, 14 Cornal Hendricks, 13 Wandisile Simelane, 12 Harold Vorster, 11 Sbu Nkosi, 10 Chris Smith, 9 Zak Burger, 8 Elrigh Louw, 7 Cyle Brink, 6 Marco van Staden, 5 Ruan Nortje (captain), 4 Jacques du Plessis, 3 Mornay Smith, 2 Johan Grobbelaar, 1 Gerhard Steenekamp

Substitutes: 16 Jan-Hendrik Wessels, 17 Simphiwe Matanzima, 18 Francois Klopper, 19 Ruan Vermaak, 20 Nizaam Carr, 21 Embrose Papier, 22 Morne Steyn, 23 Lionel Mapoe

Stormers

15 Clayton Blommetjies, 14 Suleiman Hartzenberg, 13 Ruhan Nel, 12 Dan du Plessis, 11 Seabelo Senatla, 10 Manie Libbok, 9 Herschel Jantjies, 8