Frans Steyn’s frank take on former Springboks team-mate’s suspension

Although Springboks wing Sbu Nkosi has received a lengthy ban after testing positive for the use of a banned substance, Cheetahs director of rugby Frans Steyn doesn’t feel they wasted money on the player.

Steyn revealed that World Rugby officially notified the Bloemfontein-based franchise of Nkosi’s three-year suspension on Tuesday.

The 28-year-old, who previously had stints at the Bulls and Sharks, joined the Cheetahs on a one-year-deal in March but his stint was cut short after he returned a sample which showed traces of an anabolic steroid used especially by muscle builders.

Nkosi – who was in the news in recent years due to his struggles with mental health issues – and Steyn played together at Test level and the duo were part of the Springboks‘ squad that won the 2019 Rugby World Cup in Japan.

Despite losing Nkosi’s services, Steyn has no regrets over signing his former team-mate.

‘He was good for the group and was good for the young guys’

“I don’t think for one moment we wasted money on Sbu; I saw that it was mentioned in some of the conversations,” Steyn told Netwerk24. “Sbu meant a lot to us. He was good for the group and was good for the young guys.

“It’s a huge loss for us. Now that’s the bed he has to lie in and there’s nothing we can do about it.

“I am very sad. It’s a decision he made. I’m not going to crucify him about anything. I think we all do things the wrong way every day.

“I heard that he wants to stay in Bloemfontein and that he really enjoys it here. I hope someone in Bloemfontein gives him an opportunity to work here and stay here.

Springboks: Rugby World Cup winner learns his fate after failed drugs test

“I will go out of my way to try and support him wherever I can and wherever he seeks help. I’m going to do what I can to help him if he needs me somewhere.”

The former Springboks utility back highlighted Nkosi’s importance to the Cheetahs and said he doesn’t believe one mistake should define who you are and one bad decision isn’t supposed to dictate your entire life.

‘It’s a huge loss for us’

“I think he is an incredible person in the way he interacts with the players and his fellow human beings,” said Steyn. “He always smiles and says hello. It’s a huge loss for us.”

Nkosi will be 31 by the time he will be allowed to return to action following his suspension which means his chances of playing for the Springboks at Test level will be very slim.

Despite that, Steyn said the door will always remain open for Nkosi’s return to the Cheetahs.

He said Bloemfontein’s people enjoyed watching the wing play and revealed that the player had his own supporters.

“There in the corner – where he is supposed to dot down – in the second game he played for us, there was a group of people who started sitting there,” added Steyn.

“I think he’s a superstar, whether we want to know it or not. He is always welcome here.”

READ MORE: Great Wallabies hooker loses his mind over Cheslin Kolbe skill which ‘sh*t on my entire career’