Born in Empangeni on the North Coast, Zee Mkhabela also attended Glenwood High School and represented the Cell C Sharks at both the U16 Grant Khomo Week and the U18 Craven Week. This earned the swift-serving scrumhalf a call-up to the SA U18 Academy team in 2012, and a contract with the Free State Cheetahs. Having starred in both the U19 and U21 Currie Cup competitions, Mkhabele represented South Africa at the 2014 World Rugby U20 Championship, and his Currie Cup debut followed soon afterwards, at 19 years of age. He went on to represent the Cheetahs in both Super Rugby and the Pro14, before returning to the Cell C Sharks in 2019.