Rugby World Cup-winning Springbok sets sights on reviving his career

2019 Rugby World Cup winner Sbu Nkosi’s career has taken a new twist after it was revealed that he is in the process of negotiating for a trial with the Cheetahs.

Nkosi, who previously plied his trade at the Sharks and Bulls, has been without a rugby home after he parted ways with the Pretoria-based outfit by mutual consent despite being midway through a two-year contract.

Ex-Bok team-mate gives him a lifeline

However, according to a News24 report, the 28-year-old as received a lifeline from his former Springbok team-mate Frans Steyn, who is now the Bloemfontein-based outfit’s director of rugby.

Steyn has reportedly been in touch with Nkosi‘s former coaches and acquaintances to determine his suitability for a potential role in the Cheetahs set-up.

It was initially believed that Nkosi, who has represented the Boks in 16 Tests, would go on trial this week but he is now set to join the Cheetahs at the end of February.

If he manages to impress the Cheetahs management, then they would be mandated to offer him at least a one-year contract, which is the minimum deal negotiated for any player featuring in the Currie Cup’s premier division by the South African players union’s – MyPlayers – collective bargaining agreement with the country’s unions.

Nkosi has been struggling with mental health issues for some time now. In December 2022, he was reported missing after going AWOL for three weeks. He was later found at his father’s house in eMalahleni, Mpumalanga.

After taking a break from rugby, Nkosi returned to action with the Bulls in their URC loss to the Stormers at Loftus Versfeld in Pretoria in February last year.

He did not reach his full potential though and in May 2023 the Bulls allowed him to represent the Barbarians in London and he scored a brace of tries in their 48-42 victory over a World XV.

However, he then complied a social media that was widely interpreted as criticism aimed at the Bulls.

“It was reviving to my passion, to spend a mere week with men who are pure of heart. A break from being judged by men who are bigger in their minds than they are in reality,” Nkosi wrote on his Instagram profile.

His departure from the Bulls followed soon after that, and he has not been playing professional rugby since leaving that franchise in June 2023.

Cheetahs willing to give him a chance

He could be back in action soon, though, as Cheetahs assistant coach Charl Strydom said they are willing to give Nkosi a chance to prove himself.

“There have been so many players that have been able to revive their careers back here at the ‘States’,” Strydom told OFM.

“It’s a place where some players pick up their careers again after some disappointments. It’s always been a case of players being able to get a new lease on their careers when they get here.

“Hopefully, we can help reach his potential again because there is no doubt that he has got the pedigree.”

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