Springbok Sibusiso Nkosi scored when he returned to the Bulls team on Saturday after a mental health crisis, but could not prevent a 23-19 defeat by the Stormers in the United Rugby Championship.
His comeback on the left wing in Pretoria marked the end of rehabilitation after suffering the crisis late last year.
Nkosi, who made the last of 16 test appearances against England in 2021, disappeared in November, triggering fears for his safety.
The 27-year-old was found unharmed three weeks later at the home of his father in Emalahleni, a coal mining town 108km east of Pretoria, where the Bulls are based.
A Nkosi try on 66 minutes was converted to bring the mid-table Bulls within one point of the second-placed Stormers before a Manie Libbok drop goal sealed victory for the Cape Town outfit.