White weighs in on Nkosi's mental health plight: 'We take it for granted but players are human'

Bulls director of rugby Jake White says he’s had long chats with his Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi, who revealed his battle with mental health struggles to News24 this week after going AWOL for 3 weeks, pledging his support for the star.

With sponsors SSG's help, Bulls CEO Edgar Rathbone eventually tracked the 26-year-old down at his father's place in Emalahleni, where he expressed his need for a break.

Relieved to see Nkosi alive, Rathbone said they would grant the 2019 World Cup winner the necessary break and any support he needed on his path back to mental health wellness.

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White, who shares alumni with Nkosi at their Jeppe Boys' High School alma mater, echoed Rathbone's sentiments.

"I know Nkosi very, very well. I was at the same school as him; I know his background and the old boys who helped him with his move from Barberton to Jeppe," White said on Friday.

"I've had long chats with him. I think what’s important now is that he gets given time to get himself right.

"The more media and the more talk probably doesn’t help him. Even the players are letting him get himself sorted.

"It's obviously not a nice place for a young guy to be in and we’re very conscious at the Bulls that, when we say we always do what's best for team, we also have to appreciate there’s a human element to it as well.

"I hope people don’t misunderstand me when I say the team comes first ... we do appreciate that some guys need their space."

The episode unfolded in the week the Bulls were preparing to battle French Top 14 side Lyon in SA's inaugural Champions Cup appearance on Saturday.

White said he used the incident, which grabbed worldwide attention after the Bulls put out a missing