Born and raised in Barberton, Sbu Nkosi represented the Mpumalanga Pumas at U16 Grant Khomo Week, catching the eye of Jeppe High School for Boys and earning a scholarship to the prestigious Johannesburg institution. Nkosi thrived in the physicality of the Jeppe rugby culture, where he earned the nickname of 'Lomu' and turned out for the Golden Lions at two consecutive U18 Craven Weeks. An imposing presence on the wing, Nkosi's raw speed was matched by an immensely powerful leg drive, leading the Natal Sharks to offer him a junior provincial contract after completing his schooling. Seven tries in the U19 Currie Cup led to an unsurprising national call-up for the World Rugby U20 Championship of 2016, with a senior provincial debut coming a few short months later. Able to either beat an opponent on the outside, or impose himself in contact, sbu was rapidly fast-tracked into the Sharks Super Rugby squad, where his aerial excellence meant that Nkosi relished high balls winner and enjoyed an inevitable strike rate of 9 tries in his first 16 test match appearances, and 14 touchdowns in 21 Currie Cup games. With such ruthless efficiency, it's little wonder he is tipped to be a former Springbok great.