Nkosi aims to ‘shoot back up to the stars’

SBU Nkosi is still recovering from a recent ankle operation, but don’t be fooled by that – he means serious business at the Bulls.

The Springbok wing was unveiled by the Pretoria-based team yesterday as their big signing for next season, and he will join the squad from the Sharks on July 1.

But he might not be ready to play by then, stating yesterday that he doesn’t want to put a timeline on his comeback – although he did add that “the recovery is ahead of schedule”.

The 26-year-old stated that he wants to begin a “complete reset” at the Bulls under director of rugby Jake White, who also signed him for the Sharks in 2014.

“I don’t think injuries are kind to anyone – this just happens to be my time right now. It gives me a chance to completely reset, build from afresh, and make sure that I use this time to be the best possible player that I can be when I get back,” Nkosi said.

“It is a tricky time … I am starting a new chapter in my life.

But at the same time, I feel like the powers-that-be are giving me a massive chance to be reset and shoot back up to the stars again.

“It’s always nice to have a full trophy room. I understand the legacy of this union.

“I understand the history and that rugby here is almost like the fourth meal of every day … So, to be part of a union that is so prestigious has got me feeling very privileged.

“To be picked out by a coach like Jake White once again, it means a lot.”

The 16-cap Bok was adamant that he leaves the Sharks with no hard feelings.

“It was the best decision for me – sometimes you’ve got to make those as a person. I felt like a new chapter was what I was going to need to get my career back to the Sbu Nkosi that everyone knows,” he said.

“I leave on good terms from Durban. It was for my own personal reasons – and Jake White also was a big contributing factor to that decision.

“I can’t speak on coach Sean (Everitt) and his feelings … But him and I were close. When I was 19 and had just come out of school, he was the coach who introduced me into the Super Rugby team.

“So, him and I come a long way, and no matter what we’ve gone through in the past, we’ve managed to find our way back to each other, because we care about each other on a basis that is a bit more than just a rugby player and coach.”

Nkosi admits that he cannot think of making the Bok squad at the moment as he hasn’t played for a few months, but it would still be a surprise if he was fit and left out of the group for the three-Test series against Wales in July.

He said that he has spoken to Rassie Erasmus and Jacques Nienaber in recent months, but that the Bok management didn’t have any input on his move to the Bulls.

All he can do now is get fit, and once he is running out at Loftus, he cannot wait to combine with the likes of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie in the back-three.

“They are very, very good and are proving it right now. Kurt-Lee is amazing and his X-factor is brilliant. He opens up the game in times and situations where nobody thinks that he’s going to do it,” Nkosi said.