Trevor Ntando Nyakane (born 4 May 1989 in Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga) is a South African professional rugby union player who has been playing for Racing 92 in the French Top14 since 2021. He is said to have recently joined the Sharks in March 2024. Nyakane is 178 cm tall and weighs 120 kg. His regular playing position is prop and he has the ability to play as both loosehead and tighthead.
| Full name | Trevor Nyakane |
| Nickname | Pumba |
| Gender | Male |
| Date of birth | 4 May 1989 |
| Place of birth | Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga |
| Nationality | South African |
| Ethnicity | Black |
| Height | 178 cm |
| Weight | 120 kg |
| School | Ben Voster high School |
| Profession | Professional Rugby Player |
| Marital status | Married |
| Social media |
BRIEF BACKGROUND
He comes from Bushbuckridge, Mpumalanga, although he grew up in Limpopo. He attended Gravelotte Primary School in Limpopo. At that time, black schools couldn’t compete against ‘white schools’. When things changed, his primary school was allowed to go race against the other schools. That’s when the Gravelotte principal told his parents he wanted him to come to that school because of athletics.
His father, Norman, played representative football, and rugby star wanted to pursue a career in football when he was young. However, he changed his mind and focused on rugby when he was ten. His mother, Zondi, passed on due to cancer when he was fifteen years old. Nyakane attended Hoérskool Ben Vorster where he played for the first team for two years. He was chosen to represent Limpopo at the Grant Khomo, and Craven Weeks tournaments in 2006 and 2007.
CAREER.
Trevor Nyakane played for CUT Ixias in 2011-2012 period. he played for the Cheetahs in both Super Rugby and the Currie Cup before joining the Bulls in 2014. Nyakane made his test debut for the Springboks against Italy in Durban, in June 2013. He got a place in the Springboks squad for the 2019 Rugby World Cup although he had to withdraw due to an injury in the pool stage. Nyakane was named the Bulls vice-captain for the 2020 Super Rugby season and he won the Super Rugby Unlocked and Currie Cup with the Bulls in 2020.
Trevor was named in South Africa’s 46-man squad for the British and Irish Lions Tour. He turned out for South Africa A team who managed a 17-13 win over Warren Gatland. After playing for the Bulls over a six-year period, Nyakane made the move to France joining Racing 92 in December 2021. Racing reportedly bought Nyakane out of the final two years of his contract and joined the French club until the 2023 Rugby World Cup.
FAMILY.
The prop has one daughter, Sky Thando Nyakane, with whom he shares with his wife, Gavaza. Gavaza Shiwundlana is a South African lawyer. Outside rugby, Nyakane has set up his own gin business – Nyakane Gin, which has notes of sandalwood, leather, lime, jasmine and chamomile.
He likes dancing too!!!