Hendricks: Bulls delighted to have Jake White and Sbu Nkosi back in the fold

Cornal Hendricks says the Bulls are buzzing after welcoming back coach Jake White and Springbok winger Sbu Nkosi to the team.

Head coach White is back with the side after experiencing a medical emergency that sidelined him for four weeks.

Nkosi returns after spending several months on the sidelines due to a mental health battle that left him unable to compete.

"It's very good to have coach Jake back. He brings a different energy," Hendricks said. "Just the type of rugby brain that he has, the creativity, makes a big difference. When he is here, everything feels as it should be. All the plans that he has put to us when he was at home. I know he had to rest, but he doesn't always do that.

"It's nice to have him back. He plays a big role in everything we do as a union. He's always a step ahead for us, in terms of his planning. It's nice to have his energy around us and all the questions he asks. You know that when he's present you have to be spot on on what you need to do."

As for the return of Nkosi, Hendricks was every bit as delighted to see the Bok star return from his troubles, as he offered some insight into the mental pressures players face at the top level of rugby.

"It's nice for us to have Sbu back. We know the talent that he has and what he can bring to the squad. It was sad for us as a team to see what Sbu went through, as a human being. He is Sbu the human being first. Sometimes you don't understand the pressure that professional rugby comes with. Everyone says that we earn a lot of money. It's not all about that. It's also about mental health.

"I am so proud of Sbu getting help, coming to us and apologising to the team.

"He said that whenever somebody needs to speak up, he is there. He has a shoulder for anyone who wants to talk to him.

"It's always good to have a teammate back. I am so glad that he is Sbu again. Sometimes we will need to take a step back and realise who we are as human beings. We welcomed him back with open arms because we know what he can do for us."

Hendricks said he has also experienced tough times in the sport. The backline star spent three years on the sidelines with what looked like a career-ending heart condition before managing to find his way back.

"I went through a bad patch in my life as well. I spent three years out of the game. It was tough for me. I didn't see someone at the time and I thought I was fine. Sometimes those things caught up later in life. Now I realise you can talk to someone and make it lighter on yourself. You can be yourself again.

"I offered Sbu help as well. I want to have a coffee with him and hear his story. We all have a story to tell. He can be an inspiration for the next guy coming up. When things settle, I want to ask him about his battles and give him a shoulder as a brother and a player. I want to speak to him about what I went through as well."