Born in the Democratic Republic of the Congo, Nathan Nkutu moved to South Africa at a young age, along with his family. Attending Hoerskool Marais Viljoen, Nkutu discovered the game of rugby and immediately represented the Golden Lions at the U14 IPT Provincial Tournament. Two years later, he repeated the feat by earning selection at the revered U16 Grant Khomo Week, followed by two seasons spent in the school’s 1st XV squad. So physically dominant was the powerful outside back that he was just seventeen when he first turned out for the senior 1st XV of the Alberton Rugby Club in Gauteng’s ruthlessly aggressive local club leagues.

Receiving bursaries from both the Sharks Academy and the Western Province Rugby Academy, Nathan decided to further his career in the Western Cape, where his ability to beat defenders for pace on the outside led to stellar performances for WP in the U19 Currie Cup of 2017. After two seasons at Hamilton’s RFC netted 35 tries, CPUT offered Nkutu the exposure that he so deserved. As a leading light in the Varsity Shield, Nathan’s big match temperament was on full display when he scored the crucial extra time try in the final of the 2021 tournament and was awarded the Man of the Match. A well-rounded, modern outside back, his pedigree is suited to the professional ranks.