Springbok Star Trevor Nyakane Opens Up About Life After Rugby in Major Men’s Health Campaign

• Trevor Nyakane is looking beyond his playing days as the Springbok star opens up about his future and puts men's health in the spotlight
• The Springbok prop has joined forces with two Bafana Bafana stars in a campaign aimed at encouraging more open conversations about men's health
• Nyakane's personal motivation goes beyond rugby, with the veteran prop sharing what he hopes life will look like after his professional career ends

Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane has opened up about life after rugby while joining Bafana Bafana stars Grant Kekana and Reyaad Pieterse in Novo Nordisk's Living Lighter campaign. The initiative encourages South African men to speak more openly about weight, health checks, and long-term wellbeing.

For Nyakane, the campaign goes beyond his career on the rugby field. He said his motivation is closely connected to his family and the future he hopes to enjoy once his playing days are over.

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Trevor Nyakane looks beyond rugby

Nyakane, who grew up in Bushbuckridge, acknowledged that professional rugby places considerable emphasis on physical size and strength. However, he said maintaining his health remains important when that career eventually comes to an end.

“There's life after rugby. It's knowing that, as soon as I'm done, I can live longer for my daughter and my wife, as a healthier person,” Nyakane said, according to The Citizen.

The Springbok prop also addressed men's reluctance to undergo routine health checks.

“We men don't like doing all these checks, but it is very important. It's all about a healthier me,” he added.

Bafana stars join men's health conversation

Kekana and Pieterse have also brought their own experiences to the campaign. Kekana has spoken about periods of persistent tiredness and feeling physically heavy, while Pieterse has discussed making healthier choices as part of his own journey.

Dietitian Reabetjoe “Rea” Mokoko, known as The Cooking Dietitian, is also participating in the initiative. She provides practical advice around nutrition and everyday habits.

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The campaign seeks to use the sporting profiles of Nyakane, Kekana and Pieterse to encourage men to have conversations they can sometimes avoid.

South Africa's obesity figures add context

The initiative comes amid significant obesity concerns in South Africa. National Food and Nutrition Security Survey data puts adult obesity prevalence at 32.1%, including 15.3% among men and 41.3% among women.

The figures provide wider context for the campaign's focus on weight management and preventative health.

For Nyakane, however, the message is also personal: professional sport will eventually end, but the importance of health continues beyond the field.

Trevor Nyakane's family life beyond rugby

Briefly News previously reported that Trevor Nyakane gave fans a glimpse of his lighter side while celebrating his daughter Skylar's birthday on 11 September 2026.

The Springbok prop was filmed dancing in a gym before noticing the camera and breaking into laughter. The moment offered another glimpse of Nyakane away from the rugby field, where family remains an important part of his life.

Source: Briefly News