De Chaves initially played with the Golden Lions, reaching an Under-19s Currie Cup Final in 2009 and playing Vodacom Cup rugby in 2012. In the same year, De Chaves moved to Stade Montois in France, newly promoted into the Top14. De Chaves again moved team in 2013, this time to Aviva Premiership club Leicester Tigers.[1]
On 31 March 2016 it was announced that De Chaves would join English side London Irish on a two-year deal from the end of the 2015–2016 season.[2]
In August 2020, de Chaves signed for former club London Irish on a short-term deal for the remainder of the Premiership Rugby season.[4] He was due to return to Newcastle Falcons ahead of their return to Premiership Rugby; however, he signed for Major League Rugby side Austin Gilgronis ahead of the 2021 season.[5]
On 15 September 2021, he returned to England once again as he signed a short-term deal with Wasps from the 2021-22 season.[6]
De Chaves signed a new contract with Newcastle ahead of the 2022/23 season,[7] marking his second spell with the club. In January 2024 the club announced that De Chaves had agreed a new two-year term,[8] extending his stay in Newcastle to the end of the 2025/26 season.