He represented the Eastern Province U21 side in the 2011, 2012 and 2013 competitions, helping them reach the Division B final on all three occasions and winning the title in 2012 and 2013.

In 2011, Gates was included in the 2011 Vodacom Cup squad, but failed to make an appearance for the team, despite being named on the bench for their match against the Blue Bulls in Pretoria.

[2] His senior debut came during the 2012 Vodacom Cup competition against Argentinean invitational side Pampas XV in Stellenbosch;[3] he started the match and also marked the occasion by scoring his first try, dotting down shortly before half-time.

Gates made his Currie Cup debut at the end of 2012, when he started their match against the Free State Cheetahs in the promotion/relegation play-offs.

[15] In June 2016, it was announced that Gates would join Japanese Top League side NTT Communications Shining Arcs on a two-year deal following the 2016 Super Rugby season.