When Springbok prop Trevor Nyakane, Bafana Bafana defender Grant Kekana and Mamelodi Sundowns goalkeeper Reyaad Pieterse step onto the field, they represent the absolute peak of South African athleticism.
But off the pitch, all three men were carrying a silent, heavy reality that millions of South African fathers know all too well: chronic exhaustion, excess weight and the creeping fear that their health is robbing them of time with their children.
According to data from the South African Heart Foundation, 31% of men in South Africa are classified as overweight or obese – a statistic that drastically raises the risk of hypertension, type 2 diabetes and cardiovascular disease. Yet, despite these numbers, male health and weight remain deeply taboo topics, rarely discussed in households, let alone in professional changing rooms.
That silence broke when Nyakane and Kekana stepped forward to anchor Novo Nordisk’s Live Lighter campaign alongside Kekana's current Sundowns and former Bafana teammate Reyaad Pieterse, and sports dietitian Reabetjoe "Rea" Mokoko.
For all three stars, embarking on this health programme wasn't about athletic vanity or meeting team weigh-ins; it was an uncomfortable admission that their long-term well-being was slipping.
In rugby, carrying massive physical size is considered a job requirement, but Nyakane reached a point where he had to separate on-field performance from long-term survival.
"In rugby, they get you to bulk up, but we want 'good heavy' – the leaner, the better," Nyakane said.
"For me, health is about life after rugby. Am I going to be a healthier person once I'm done playing? It's knowing that as soon as I'm done, I can live longer for my daughter and my wife."
On consulting healthcare professionals when necessary, he said: "Us men don't like doing all these checks, but it's very important. It's all about a healthier me, knowing I'll still be able to chase her around when my daughter wants to be naughty."
For Kekana, the tipping point came when the physical strain began bleeding directly into his daily life and performance, forcing him to confront a problem he didn't fully understand.
"I was feeling very heavy. I felt like I was carrying a monkey on my back; feeling really tired," Kekana admitted.
"There were games where I hoped I’d make it through the first half. I never really understood why I felt the way I was feeling until I asked questions. My ego was dented, but then I realised it's time to kick-start my health game."
"We were always part of the overweight group, which used to suck as you obviously had to train harder than anyone else and you couldn't eat what you wanted to. That was the eye-opener for me to say I can't be putting my body through this," Pieterse said.
By heeding the call and publicly documenting their journey, Nyakane, Kekana and Pieterse are reframing what strength actually looks like for South African men.
Guided by Mokoko's practical approach – which focuses on incremental dietary shifts, portion control and regular medical check-ups without abandoning traditional foods – the players are pushing back against the culture of male medical avoidance.
"Now I feel good about myself. I've got the time and correct energy to spend with my kids as well," Pieterse admitted.
Their message to fathers is simple and unsentimental: taking control of your weight and getting checked by a doctor isn't a sign of weakness, but a fundamental responsibility to the family waiting for you at home.