South Africa Rugby World Cup winner Sibusiso Nkosi, who had been missing for three weeks, was found on Monday at the home of his father, an official from his club, the Bulls, told AFP.
The Pretoria-based Bulls later issued a statement confirming that the 26-year-old winger had spoken to the chief executive of the club, Edgar Rathbone, in Emalahleni, east of Pretoria.
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"The Blue Bulls Company and the Vodacom Bulls family are happy to confirm that contracted player, Sbu Nkosi has been found safe and sound," the statement read.
"After lengthy and extensive efforts from the Vodacom Bulls, in collaboration with SSG – who have gone beyond their commercial responsibility – at 14:02pm on Monday 05 December 2022, Nkosi was located.
"Once it was established that Nkosi was safe, unharmed and in a position to speak, Chief Executive Edgar Rathbone went into Nkosi’s home (with the permission of the player), spending alone time with him, to understand how best the company can provide him with the support he needs and what that support is.
"As the Vodacom Bulls family, we are thrilled that Nkosi is safe.
"We wish to extend a vote of thanks to all the members of the public who shared information that contributed to our search. We wish to also express a word of thanks to the international community who also joined the call and efforts in searching for Nkosi."
There was no immediate explanation as to what triggered the disappearance of Nkosi. He was sent home from a Bulls tour of Europe in October after missing a team meeting in Ireland.
Nkosi made the last of 16 appearances for the Springboks in 2021 and missed a tour of Europe last month due to a rib injury.
He recently slipped down the pecking order for the right wing position with Bulls team-mates Kurt-Lee Arendse and Canan Moodie preferred when first choice Cheslin Kolbe was injured.
