Springboks players are well rewarded for putting their bodies on the line during Test matches for South Africa after a breakdown of SA Rugby’s contributions to Players of National Interest (PONI) was revealed.
The SA Rugby Industry Collective Agreement has revealed rugby players’ earnings in the country and the percentage covered by the South African Rugby Union.
Salary wise, top Springboks players playing locally are right up with the best sports earners in South Africa, with the top players earning close to R1 million a month. But they are still very much behind what some of the top Proteas earn in the Indian Premier League.
Hard-hitting batter Heinrich Klaasen was the most expensive player in IPL history - before being overtaken by Rishabh Pant during the last action - after the Sunrisers Hyderabad had earlier splashed out R48 million for him to remain in his contract.
@cashnsport #QuickTakes 🚨 New rugby salary caps, 🇿🇦 rugby player salaries and the competitiveness versus financial stability balance 🏉 #Rugby #Sport #Money #Sports #Business #SouthAfrica #foryoupage #FYP ♬ original sound - cashnsport
Proteas speedster Kagiso Rabada was the most sought after South African during that auction and was sold to the Gujarat Titans for just under R22 million.
However, the highest-earning players domestically, who don't have Cricket South Africa contracts, earn a maximum of about R1.3 million a year.
Footballers at the top end of the Betway Premiership spectrum make a very good living, with some players earning over R600,000 a month. There are also things like match-fees and win bonuses.
South African Rugby Player Salaries and SARU’s Contribution
From the South African Rugby Industry Collective Agreement (2024-2027), here is a breakdown of player earnings and the percentage covered by the South African Rugby Union.
PONI =Players of National Interest pic.twitter.com/AFEzqZ6sDG
However, when it comes to matchday earnings for the national teams, the Springboks definitely stand out head and shoulders above their rugby and cricket counterparts.
How much do the Springboks earn per match?
A Springbok star in the 23-man matchday squad still earns just under R120,000 per Test. That excludes win bonuses, which could be anywhere between R25,000 and R50,000 depending on the opposition.
But those players who are not included in the matchday squad don't get too down on themselves, as they earn around R60,000 for just sitting and watching their teammates from the stands.
@jordanbuhrsrugby Most Expensive SA Cricketers at SA20 🔥 #cricket #southafrica #t20 ♬ original sound - Jordan Buhrs Rugby 🇿🇦
According to a report published in 2023, the Springboks get almost double the amount of money per international fixture than their Bafana Bafana counterparts. Bafana players were earning around R60,000 for a win and R30,000 for a draw in 2023.
In 2023, CSA became the third cricket board to announce equal match-fee pay for both the men and women cricketers.
Proteas cricketers earn just over R82,000 per Test match, over R22,000 for a One-Day International and about R15,000 per T20 match. These figures also don't include win bonuses.
The Springboks are definitely doing well for themselves for 80 minutes’ work.
@JohnGoliath82