Nkosi: 'I know that answer isn't very diplomatic, but it is honest'
There is a steady stream of high-profile players moving to Durban.
However, Springbok Sibusiso Nkosi is going against the flow of traffic, moving from Kings Park to Loftus Versfeld.
The Bulls confirmed that they have signed the 2019 World Cup-winning star, who will formally start in Pretoria on July 1 – despite being unveiled on Thursday.
The 26-year-old Nkosi, who has not played for the Sharks since February due to health issues and injury, said the move has been a long-time coming.
“Jake and I have aligned on certain values,” the 16-times capped Springbok said, as he addressed the media.
“Jake and I have had a relationship since I was in high school,” the former Jeppe High School for Boys scholar said.
“He was also the coach that signed me to join the Sharks,” the Bok flyer said about White’s coaching stint at the Sharks.
Nkosi described it as ‘coming the full circle’.
“Me wanting to be a part of the work he is doing [at the Bulls], me wanting to grow and tap into his brain [more] was probably the biggest motivating factor,” he added.
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The wing has not been on the playing field much this year – first struggling with a ‘gastric intestinal virus’ and then suffered an ankle injury in training in early April before undergoing surgery.
He said his recovery is “ahead of schedule”, without committing to a return to play date.
While he enjoys the ‘physicality’ of defence, the Bulls’ all round approach to the game is also “extremely exciting” to him..
He dismissed the notion that his move to Pretoria could hamper his Bok prospects.
“I don’t think making it into a World Cup squad is dependant on which union you play for,” Nkosi said.
“That [selection] is purely based on your performance.
“I don’t think being in a specific place downplays your chances of being in an international set-up.”
He added that departing the Sharks was the “best” decision for him.
“Sometimes you have to make those [calls] as a person.
“I felt a new chapter is what I was going to need to get my career back to the Sbu Nkosi everybody knew.
“I know my form hasn’t been as amazing as everyone knows it should be, but everybody has a [bad] run [of form] like that.
“I want to start rebuilding [my career] here [at Loftus Versfeld].
“I know that answer isn’t very diplomatic, but it is honest.”
He added that to be in the mix for Springbok selection he needs to be “fit and ready to play” and that is his priority – recovering from the surgery.
“That is where my energy is focussed on at the moment.”
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