The revelations from Sbu Nkosi about his mental health challenges came as “a shock” to fellow Springbok and former Sharks teammate Ox Nche.

Reported as a missing person by the Vodacom Bulls after failing to reach him for three weeks, Nkosi has explained that mental health battles led to his decision to drop off the radar and return to his father’s house in Emalahleni.

Blue Bulls Company CEO Edgar Rathbone has said that the well-being of the troubled wing, and not whether to terminate his contract, is now the main focus of the Pretoria outfit.

MORE: Nkosi’s Bulls future up in the air

Nkosi joined the Bulls in pre-season after eight years at the Sharks, and speaking during a media conference on Tuesday, Nche told reporters: “Our jobs are not easy… for me and him, we have an understanding and we’re good colleagues and we get along off the field as well.

“It came as a shock to me as well, like we didn’t expect it, but the thing about mental health is you don’t even see it coming.

“A guy can be coming into work every single day, but you never actually know where his mental state actually is. Mental struggles is not a challenge that people can see or notice, but it was definitely concerning for me as well.

“It’s a wake up call for guys to keep checking in on each other and seeing how things are.”

PLUS: Nche fired up for rematch with Quins’ Bok

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