South African rugby players are some of the highest paid athletes in the country. Rugby is a popular sport in South Africa, and the country has a strong domestic league, the Currie Cup, as well as a competitive international team, the Springboks. In this blog, we will discuss how much South African rugby players earn, who are the top 10 highest paid players, how many professional rugby players there are in South Africa, and who are the biggest sponsors of rugby in the country.
How much do South African rugby players earn?
The salaries of South African rugby players vary depending on their level of experience, the team they play for, and their position. On average, a professional rugby player in South Africa can earn between R500,000 ($33,000 USD) and R31,000,000 ($1.5 million USD) per year.
Who are the top 10 highest paid South African rugby players?
According to a list compiled by Sport24 in 2021, the top 10 highest paid South African rugby players are:
- Handre Pollard – R31 million ($1.5 million USD) per year
- Faf de Klerk – R20 million ($1.1 million USD) per year
- Eben Etzebeth – R19 million ($1.05 million USD) per year
- Cheslin Kolbe – R19 million ($1.05 million USD) per year
- Duane Vermeulen – R13 million million ($600,000 USD) per year
How many professional rugby players are there in South Africa?
According to SA Rugby, there are currently around 800 professional rugby players in South Africa, spread across the country’s 20 + professional teams which play in the Currie Cup and United Rugby Championship. The top domestic teams are the Bulls, the Lions, the Sharks, and the Stormers. Additionally, many South African players ply their trade in overseas leagues, particularly in Europe and Japan.
Who are the biggest sponsors of rugby in South Africa?
Rugby is a lucrative industry in South Africa, and there are several big sponsors who invest heavily in the sport. Some of the biggest sponsors of rugby in South Africa include:
- MTN – the mobile network provider sponsors the Springboks, as well as several domestic teams
- Absa – the banking giant is the title sponsor of the Currie Cup, South Africa’s premier domestic rugby competition
- Vodacom – another mobile network provider, Vodacom sponsors the Sharks and the Bulls, as well as the national sevens team
- Castle Lager – the beer brand is a longstanding sponsor of the Springboks and domestic rugby
- FNB – the financial services provider sponsors the Western Province rugby team, as well as the Varsity Cup, a popular university rugby competition.
How much do South African rugby sevens players earn?
Rugby sevens is a popular variant of rugby in South Africa, particularly at the international level. However, sevens players typically earn less than their 15-a-side counterparts. According to reports, the average salary for a South African rugby sevens player is between average salary of around R600,000 ($35,000) to R1,000,000 ($55,000) per year. However, top players can earn more through sponsorships and endorsements
Additionally, rugby sevens players have the opportunity to earn more through tournament winnings. The South African sevens team is a regular participant in the World Rugby Sevens Series, which consists of several tournaments throughout the year. The team has had a lot of success in the series, and has won several tournaments in recent years, including the Cape Town Sevens, which is held annually in South Africa.
The prize money for winning a sevens tournament varies depending on the competition and the location, but can range from tens of thousands to hundreds of thousands of dollars. For example, the prize money for the 2019 Cape Town Sevens was $100,000 for the winning team.
It’s worth noting that rugby sevens players also have the opportunity to represent their country at the Olympics, as rugby sevens was added to the Olympic program in 2016. South Africa’s men’s sevens team competed at the 2016 Rio Olympics, where they finished in fifth place.
Conclusion
In conclusion, South African rugby players are some of the highest paid athletes in the country, with salaries ranging from R500,000 to R10 million per year. The top 10 highest paid players in South Africa include Siya Kolisi, Handre Pollard, and Duane Vermeulen, among others. There are around 800 professional rugby players in South Africa, spread across four professional teams. The biggest sponsors of rugby in South Africa include MTN, Absa, Vodacom, Castle Lager, and FNB. Rugby sevens players typically earn less than their 15-a-side counterparts, with an average salary of around R200,000 per year, but have the opportunity to earn more through tournament winnings and representing their country at the Olympics.
FAQ
South African rugby players can earn anywhere from R500,000 to R31 million per year, depending on their level of experience, performance, and contract negotiations.
Who are the top 10 highest paid South African rugby players?
The top 10 highest paid South African rugby players include Handre Pollard, Duane Vermeulen, Eben Etzebeth, Faf de Klerk, Cheslin Kolbe, Willie le Roux, Frans Malherbe, Pieter-Steph du Toit, and Malcolm Marx.
How many professional rugby players are there in South Africa?
There are around 800 professional rugby players in South Africa, spread across 20 + professional teams.
Who are the biggest sponsors of rugby in South Africa?
The biggest sponsors of rugby in South Africa include MTN, Absa, Vodacom, Castle Lager, and FNB.
How much do South African rugby sevens players earn?
Rugby sevens players typically earn less than their 15-a-side counterparts, with an average salary of around R600,000 to R1,000,000 per year. However, they have the opportunity to earn more through tournament winnings and representing their country at the Olympics.
What factors influence South African rugby player salaries?
South African rugby player salaries are influenced by factors such as experience, performance, position, contract negotiations, and market demand. Top players are often able to command higher salaries due to their skills and popularity among fans and sponsors.
How do South African rugby player salaries compare to other countries?
South African rugby player salaries are among the highest in the world, with top players earning comparable or even higher salaries than players in other major rugby-playing countries such as New Zealand, Australia, England, and France. However, salaries can vary widely depending on the individual player and team.
