As world-beaters twice over, it is only fitting that Springbok stars are making serious bank. Quintin van Jaarsveld highlights the five highest-paid South African rugby players.
Rugby, apart from fighting, is arguably the most physically demanding sport there is. Players give their bodies week in and week out, running full steam into one bone-rattling collision after the other for 80 minutes.
With the amount of sacrifices, most players do not get paid enough, especially when compared with the ludicrous amounts that soccer players earn, but those who have evolved into rugby royalty do get compensated accordingly. Do get compensated accordingly.
Four double World Cup-winning Springbok superstars are among the 10 highest-paid players in the world. Let’s look at the top five South African players on the money-making front:
Rank
Player
Position/Description
Reported Annual Salary
5
Eben Etzebeth
Springbok lock and enforcer; salary at the Sharks is undisclosed, but he previously earned £900,000 (R18.34 million) at Toulon, making him the highest-paid forward in world rugby at the time.
Undisclosed (previously £900,000 / R18.34m at Toulon)
4
Handré Pollard
Springbok fly-half and two-time Rugby World Cup winner; currently plays for Leicester Tigers.
£610,000 (R14.3 million)
3
Siya Kolisi
Springbok captain and two-time Rugby World Cup-winning skipper; currently with Racing 92.
£850,000 (R19.9 million)
2
Faf de Klerk
Springbok scrum-half; plays for Canon Eagles in Japan.
£900,000 (R21.1 million)
1
Cheslin Kolbe
Springbok winger; currently plays for Suntory Sungoliath in Japan.
£937,000 (R21.9 million)
Note: Eben Etzebeth’s current salary is not publicly disclosed. His ranking is based on reports that he earns a substantial salary at the Sharks, with his previous Toulon contract (£900,000 per year) serving as a reference point.
