Gumede Leaves Seawolves, Signs with Lokomotiv Penza for 2026 and 2027 Seasons

Seawolves prop Njabulo Gumede goes out to the field during the 2025 season. Credit: Njabulo Gumede/Instagram.

Seattle Seawolves tighthead prop Njabulo “Juice” Gumede will not return to the club in the 2026 season, as he has announced a two-year signing with Russian Rugby Championship club Lokomotiv Penza, based in Penza, Russia.

Gumede played in five games for Seattle in 2025, accruing 83 total minutes, four carries, and 15 tackles. With international gameday slots being reduced from 10 to seven for the 2026 season (and Seattle getting domestic tighthead Charlie Walsh in the second round of the 2025 MLR Draft), the South African Gumede—third in the 2025 tighthead depth chart behind Juan Pablo Zeiss and Mason Pedersen—appears to be looking elsewhere to continue his rugby career.

The 2026 Russian Rugby Championship season will extend from May to September with a break during the summer test window and playoffs in October, so Gumede’s signing removes any possibility of his return to Seattle for the 2026 season.

Gumede is the second 2025 Seawolf to depart the roster, the first being loosehead prop Cam Orr’s retirement during the summer.