Top Earners in SA Rugby: Who Takes Home the Biggest Paychecks?
Revamped Rugby Riches
Rugby's heavyweights not only knock competitors on the field but also break through barriers off it, as South Africa's top players haul in substantial paydays. Quintin van Jaarsveld takes a look at the five highest-earning South African rugby stars who've proven they're worth every penny.
When it comes to physically demanding sports, rugby ranks near the top, with players putting their bodies on the line each week. Despite the sacrifices, many players still find themselves underpaid, especially compared to their football counterparts. However, for South Africa's rugby royalty, compensation matches their exceptional skills on the field.
Four double World Cup-winning Springbok superstars crack the world's top ten highest-paid players. Let's dive into the top five Mzansi players raking in the dough:
5: Eben Etzebeth
Determining South Africa's fifth-highest-earning player is a conundrum, given the secrecy surrounding local contracts. It's believed Springbok enforcer Etzebeth is cashing in big at the Sharks. Previously earning £900,000 at Toulon, he might claim the title of the top-earning forward in world rugby.
A specimen of athletic prowess fueled by controlled aggression, Etzebeth, the youngest-ever Springbok centurion, stands tall as a one-of-a-kind beast who redefined what it means to be a rugby enforcer. The prodigious lock is the epitome of the quintessential Springbok and the best to ever sport the green and gold No. 4 jersey.
4: Handre Pollard
When the stakes are high, no one outshines Pollard, the Springboks' cool-headed general. The only flyhalf to pilot his country to two World Cup wins, Pollard's unerring composure under pressure is stuff of legend.
From the nail-biting penalty against Wales in the 2019 World Cup semi-final to the game-winning kick from 50 meters in last year's nerve-wracking quarter-final against England, Pollard is the player you bet your house on to deliver the critical kick.
Currently ranked No. 10 on the list, Pollard previously held the title of the world's highest-paid player during his time at Montpellier, cashing in around £1.5 million per year. At present, he brings in £610,000 (approximately $800,000) annually with the Leicester Tigers.
3: Siya Kolisi
Legendary and adored, Kolisi transcends rugby like few before him. Known as one of only two captains to hoist the World Cup twice, he truly is a bona fide legend. But he's more than just a special player. A symbol of unity, Kolisi is an inspiration who defied the odds...twice.
He elevates a club simply by joining, drawing fresh eyes to the franchise captivated by his juxtaposition of humbling beginnings and exceptional skills. Released from his Sharks contract early to join Racing 92 last year, the 32-year-old earns a reported £850,000 (approximately ZAR 20 million) each season.
2: Faf du Toit
Known as one of the game's great characters, De Toit boasts iconic blonde locks and is recognized as one of the most well-rounded scrum-halves.
precise with his box kicks and a danger on the attack, both as a sniper and a threader of needles, his skill, decision-making, and experience have earned him a place amongst the elite. Big in Japan, having joined the Canon Eagles ahead of last year's World Cup, De Toit takes home £900,000 (around $1.2 million) per year.
1: Cheslin Kolbe
Small in stature but giant in impact, Kolbe is the most explosive, captivating, and respected player in the game today. A human highlight reel on attack and a giant killer on defense, the diminutive dynamo is one of the most electrifying, compelling figures in world rugby.
After helping the Springboks retain the World Cup last year, the 30-year-old winger made the move to Japan's Suntory Sungoliath, bankrolling £940,000 per year (roughly $1.2 million USD).
Insights:
- Rugby's top earners hail from various clubs, including the Sharks, Racing 92, Leicester Tigers, and Toulon, among others.
- South African players' earnings fluctuate considerably, with annual salaries ranging from £100,000 to over £1 million.
- Despite the wide income discrepancies, the top five South African earners are reported to pocket over £4.5 million per year collectively.
Quintin Van Jaarsveld is a seasoned sports journalist, named MDDA-Sanlam Local Sports Journalist of the Year and Vodacom KwaZulu-Natal Sports Journalist of the Year multiple times. He served as the sports editor and award-winning journalist of The Fever Media Group, deputy editor at eHowzit, and editor of SARugby.com, among other notable roles. He brings over fifteen years of experience to the table as a freelance sports writer.
- In the sports world, particularly rugby and football, predictions about earnings can be interesting, with South African rugby stars such as Eben Etzebeth, Handre Pollard, Siya Kolisi, Faf du Toit, and Cheslin Kolbe consistently making top-ten lists for highest-earning athletes.
- Interestingly, four Springbok players, including Handre Pollard and Siya Kolisi, have secured spots in the world's top ten highest-paid players, underscoring the financial impact of their exceptional skills on the field.
- Rugby betting enthusiasts might find it profitable to consider the contracts of South African rugby stars in European leagues like the Premier League, as players like Siya Kolisi were reported to earn £850,000 annually with Racing 92 and Cheslin Kolbe banks £940,000 per year with Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
- Sports analysis reveals that the top five highest-earning South African rugby players collectively bring in over £4.5 million per year, highlighting the growing financial importance of rugby within the sports world.
