After South Africa defeated New Zealand in the France 2023 Rugby World Cup Final at the Stade de France in Saint-Denis, near Paris, on October 28, 2023, fly-half Handre Pollard (R) of South Africa celebrates with teammates. (Image courtesy of AFP/Anne-Christine Poujoulat)

Although the world’s best rugby players don’t make nearly as much money as athletes in other sports, it’s certain that the best Springboks do.
Top earners among the Springboks

We examine the highest-earning players at the moment and identify the highest-paid Springbok.

5. Eben Etzebeth

Although Eben Etzebeth’s actual wage with the Sharks is unknown, it is believed to have been somewhat less than what he was making in France.

Etzebeth is by far the brightest star on the Sharks’ roster after their huge capture of him. It is reported that he makes between R14 and R17 million annually.

4. Siya Kolisi

Siya Kolisi joined the team just after a number of elite players left, therefore even if the top 14 does have a pay cap, there is no indication that he would earn less than one of the team’s top earners.

To play for Racing 92, Kolisi is probably paid between R18 and R20 million a season.

The famous person has acknowledged that he hasn’t really thought about how his profession would develop in the future.

“I haven’t given it much thought,” he remarked. Being a Springbok captain is undoubtedly a big deal, but the World Cup has been the most pressing issue.

“As captain, I only have a small role to play in the team — I have guys like Eben Etzebeth, Duane Vermeulen, Cheslin Kolbe and Retshegofaditswe ‘Ox’ Nché in the leadership group.”

3. Faf de Klerk

Japan-based De Klerk also rakes in the cash.

De Klerk had spent five seasons with the Sale Sharks in the English Premiership.

He pairs up with Japanese international flyhalf Yu Tamura at club level, but some have questioned the decision to play in the Top League.

Springboks top earners

2. Handre Pollard

At one time, his deal with the Leicester Tigers made him the highest-paid rugby player in the world.

The latest figures suggest that Pollard now earns around 14.2 million directly from the Tigers.

1. Cheslin Kolbe

When it was reported that Cheslin Kolbe turned down an R15 million contract to play for the Stormers, the story went viral.

Since then, Kolbe has denied the statistic and stated that joining the Stormers would have required him to accept a significant pay decrease.

Kolbe agreed to a mega-deal with Suntory Goliath, offering him over R20 million a season, to relocate to Japan instead.

With his new contract with Bath, Finn Russell, a player from Scotland, is now the highest paid player worldwide.

Siya Kolisi’s contract with Racing 92 is said to place him in a comparable situation.