Barberton-born Springbok player Sbu Nkosi found in Mpumalanga

Missing Springbok winger and Bulls player Sbu Nkosi has been found.

The Barberton-born Nkosi was found with his family in Mpumalanga on Monday November 5 and while the player is said to be physically unharmed, it is understood that he is in a severe depression.

Pretoria Rekord, a sister paper of Lowvelder, reported that according to the Bulls’ president, Willem Strauss, not much more information can be given at this stage.

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What is known is that the Bulls’ CEO, Edgar Rathbone, is with the family in person and discussions are currently being held with them about the circumstances surrounding Nkosi’s disappearance and especially about his mental state.

It is not known at this stage whether the South African police were involved in the attempt to locate Nkosi.

Rekord stated in an article published on Monday afternoon that during early inquiries at the Sunnyside police office, the publication was referred to Captain Mavela Masondo, senior police communications officer in Gauteng. However, he did not answer his mobile phone, and a text message to his phone was also ignored.

Attempts by Lowvelder to get comment from Masondo were also unsuccessful.

The Bulls said in a statement earlier today that stories that the player has been tracked down are not true.

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“We continue to receive tip-offs and information from the public (through the info@bluebull.co.za line we shared in the initial club statement) and all these are being shared with the police as well as other relevant stakeholders who are assisting in the matter. We continue to appeal to the wider public to share any information they have that may help with the case,” the statement said.

According to the statement, Nkosi’s disappearance has since attracted international attention.
Nkosi was selected for the Springboks tour to Europe at the end of October, but he suffered an injury in the Bulls’ last match before this tour, which prevented him from accompanying the national team.

He apparently did the first part of his rehabilitation with the Bulls and later even trained with his provincial teammates, until November 14. Since then, he has not been seen at Loftus again and no one has had any contact with him since he apparently was also not responding to calls and messages.

Strauss confirmed to Rekord late this afternoon that Nkosi had indeed been located and that Rathbone was handling the situation personally.

Read the original story here: Bulls winger Sbu Nkosi found