Sbu Nkosi has revealed that the "mental pressure" of being a professional rugby player led to his disappearance.
The South Africa international was reported as missing to police by his club over the weekend after the Bulls had no contact with the 26-year-old since November 11.
But the club then released a statement confirming that he was located on Monday.
READ MORE: Missing South Africa international Sbu Nkosi found "safe and sound"
Nkosi says mental pressure has been building up for a number of years.
He said: "I'm a lot better. There's obviously a lot to speak about that I can't say out loud but my condition is improving.
"It's just been a whole lot of mental pressure. It's been building up for a couple of years now. I was just trying to keep myself calm. That's been a battle. I'm at a point where I need to prioritise the person before the rugby player."
"I just needed time. I've basically been curled up in a ball with my Dad, and he's been managing my mental state daily," Nkosi added.
"I'm not special or different or unique in any way. I think it's something that needs to be focused on a bit more, whether you're on top or at the bottom. It's always a rollercoaster.
"Maybe a little effort needs to be put into how the guys manage the wave of emotions that come with the good and bad times."
Nkosi was sent home early from the Bulls recent tour in Ireland after breaking team protocols by missing a meeting following a visit to a friend in Dublin and did not feature in their 31-17 defeat to Munster on October 15.
His last game for the Bulls came against his former club the Sharks on October 30, during which he went off after 45 minutes with a rib injury.
Nkosi was named in South Africa's squad for their Autumn internationals, including against Ireland at the Aviva Stadium, but was later ruled out as he stayed in Pretoria to have scans on the injury.
The Bulls statement added: “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.
“We are thrilled that Nkosi is safe.”
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