Springboks, Bafana Bafana, or Proteas: Who Earns the Most?

• Springbok players earn up to R120,000 per Test match, with additional win bonuses ranging from R25,000 to R50,000
• Proteas cricketers like Heinrich Klaasen and Kagiso Rabada earn millions through the Indian Premier League (IPL)
• Top players in the Betway Premiership can earn up to R600,000 per month, in addition to match fees of R60,000 for a win

The Springboks, South Africa’s national rugby team, are some of the top earners in the country’s sporting world.

Local players are paid handsomely, with the top Springboks reportedly taking home nearly R1 million a month, based on the South African Rugby Industry Collective Agreement (2024-2027).

Despite these impressive figures, rugby salaries still fall behind those of cricketers, especially those competing in the highly lucrative Indian Premier League (IPL).

Comparing Earnings Across Rugby, Cricket, and Football

While all three sports—rugby, cricket, and football—offer generous salaries, they vary significantly in their earning structures.

Read also

Benni McCarthy’s salary as Harambee Stars Coach: What he earns and how it compares to Africa's top coaches

Rugby players benefit from strong local contracts and the support of the South African Rugby Union (SARU).

Cricket, on the other hand, offers players massive financial gains from international leagues like the IPL.

South African football players, particularly those in the Betway Premiership, enjoy good wages as well.

Rugby Salaries

The Springboks earn competitive salaries in the domestic market.

Top Springbok players based in South Africa can earn R1 million monthly, supplemented by match fees and win bonuses.

In a single Test match, a player can receive about R120,000, with additional win bonuses ranging between R25,000 and R50,000, depending on the result.

Cricket Salaries

Cricketers in South Africa may earn less in local contracts but have the opportunity to earn significantly more from international leagues.

Proteas cricketers also earn match fees, with Test players making R82,000 per match, R22,000 for One-Day Internationals (ODIs), and R15,000 for Twenty20 (T20) matches, excluding any win bonuses.

Read also

Siya Kolisi’s jaw-dropping salary – See how much he makes per minute!

Football Salaries

Footballers in South Africa’s top domestic league, the Betway Premiership, earn impressive salaries, though they are lower compared to rugby and cricket.

Top football players can earn up to R600,000 per month in base salary.

When playing for Bafana Bafana, players also receive match fees. A win for the national team nets players R60,000, while a draw brings in R30,000.

Match Fees: Springboks Take the Lead

When it comes to match fees, the Springboks stand out.

For every Test match, a Springbok player earns around R120,000, with additional win bonuses.

Non-playing members of the squad still pocket R60,000 for their involvement in a match.

This is a significant sum compared to Bafana Bafana players, who earn R60,000 for a victory and R30,000 for a draw.

Proteas cricketers also earn less per match—R82,000 for a Test match, R22,000 for an ODI, and R15,000 for a T20.

Read also

Proteas storm into Champions Trophy semi-finals: Fans celebrate.

Who Truly Earns the Most?

The Springboks lead the way in terms of matchday earnings, with cricketers in the IPL making huge sums from the international circuit.

Footballers in South Africa also have the potential for significant earnings, particularly in their local leagues.

While rugby offers competitive salaries through local contracts and match fees, cricket players can earn substantial amounts from global leagues, making it the most financially rewarding for some.

The Springboks top the list in terms of matchday earnings, but cricketers dominate the international stage with the money made from leagues like the IPL.

Football players in South Africa also benefit from strong local wages and match fees, securing their place among the top earners.

Benni McCarthy’s Salary Among Africa’s Top Coaches

Briefly News previously reported that South African football legend Benni McCarthy has been appointed as the new head coach of Kenya’s national football team, the Harambee Stars.

Read also

“Who does the screening for these jobs?”: Salary of parliamentary cleaner sparks debate

His reported salary of Ksh 8 million per month (approximately R1.48 million) makes him one of the highest-earning African national team coaches.

Source: Briefly News