The 25-year-old lock spent last season with Mont de Marsan in France before joining up with Tigers this summer.
“When I came in for training in the summer my aim was to get some game-time, starting with the pre-season games,” said the South African-born second-rower.
“I know there are very good players here in my position, guys like Geoff Parling, Ed Slater, Graham Kitchener and Louis Deacon, and they have already proved themselves as players. I just want a chance to prove my worth in the squad and for the coach.
“I didn’t expect a chance so quickly so I was very happy to get into the team against Montpellier. It was a tough game, I was feeling a bit sore afterwards but it was a great experience.
“I played against Montpellier last year and played against some of the other big French sides, but it was still a big change to play against them with Leicester and it was an awesome feeling to be involved.”
De Chaves came through the ranks with the Lions in South Africa and played in the Varsity Cup with University of Johannesburg as well as being capped at Under-20s level before moving to France a year ago.
“It was a great experience in France and I’m glad I did it even though Mont de Marsan were relegated in the end,” he says.
“Now I am excited by the opportunity here. I spoke to Richard Cockerill and saw the structures when I came to take a look around and I was very keen to make a move here.”
