Rassie Erasmus: SA Rugby will support Sbu Nkosi in any way possible

By Chad Klate
27th June 2023

SA Director of Rugby Rassie Erasmus has opened the door to Springbok wing Sbu Nkosi, who is clubless following a mutual agreement to part ways with the Blue Bulls this week.

Nkosi endured a troubled spell with the Bulls, who he joined last year from the Sharks, and had several off-field incidents – including being sent home from a European tour for breaking team protocols, which ultimately led to his sidelining by coach Jake White.

With the 27-year-old now having to find a new career venture, Erasmus has opened the door to assisting the player in any way possible.

"There are a lot of people struggling with a lot of things and I'm not referring to Sibu specifically now. Some is not knowledge out there and some of the things that players are handling themselves, some we are a little bit involved and some there's other professional help," he said.

"Overall, when you talk about players we must talk about them as persons and we mustn't always discuss their personal life out there to everyone. So, again I don't have insights into that, I just wanna get him back on the field and I hope he's okay. Wherever we can assist if there's something on the field, off the field, getting a contract, playing anywhere, if he comes to SA rugby we will try and support where we can," he said.

It is not yet known what direction Nkosi will go, but Erasmus maintains his next chapter will be crucial for his Boks future.

"Ya, no, looking at his age and how well he played for us, we just hope as soon as possible we can see him somewhere in the field to rate his play and make him a contender again and start comparing him like all other players. Hopefully, he stays in South Africa, that will be fantastic," Erasmus explained.

"If he plays abroad, the nice thing is if he plays in the French Top 14 or he plays in Japan, we've worked with him. You can sort of judge how he's doing there. I never talk about a player's personal life and also don't know the insides and outsides of what's going on there. We just hope as soon as possible we can see him somewhere to rate him against the guys who are playing in the Springboks team so we can consider him."