Springbok salary: How much do the players earn in 2025?
Rugby is arguably one of South Africa's top sports. Professional rugby athletes playing for the Springboks, South Africa's national rugby union team, take home a considerable income, thanks to the sport's popularity in the country. The Springbok salary range varies depending on a player's expertise and negotiating power.
Source: UGC
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Key takeaways
- The Springbok salary range depends on a player's expertise and negotiating power.
- The average international rugby player's salary range is between $5,500 and $16,000 per player.
- When coach Rassie Erasmu’s salary was made public, fans rallied for him to get a salary raise.
- Springbok salaries are impressive. They afford the highest-paid players luxurious lifestyles.
- Springbok players earn additional income from brand sponsorships.
Springbok salary: All you should know
The average rugby player's salary in South Africa is enough to give them high-end properties, luxurious vehicles, and picture-perfect holidays. Most players also get brand sponsors, increasing their income.
Typically, successful players get brand sponsors, adding to their net worth and popularity. Discover the highest-earning Springbok players today.
How much do you get paid in rugby?
International players representing their home countries are paid a fixed match fee that varies from country to country. However, the average value is between $5,500 and $16,000 per player.
Some players may earn more or less than the indicated figures, depending on their expertise and contract terms.
Source: Original
List of current Springbok players
The current Springbok players and their positions are listed below.
- Andre Esterhuizen - centre
- André-Hugo Venter - hooker
- Aphelele Fassi - fullback
- Ben-Jason Dixon - loose forward
- Bongi Mbonambi - hooker
- Cameron Hanekom - loose forward
- Canan Moodie - wing (Canaan Moodie was the youngest player on the team in 2024)
- Cheslin Kolbe - wing
- Cobus Reinach - scrumhalf
- Damian de Allende - centre
- Eben Etzebeth - lock
- Edwill van der Merwe - wing
- Elrigh Louw - loose forward
- Evan Roos - loose forward
- Faf de Klerk - scrumhalf
- Franco Mostert - lock
- Frans Malherbe - prop
- Gerhard Steenekamp - prop
- Grant Williams - scrumhalf
- Handré Pollard - flyhalf
- Jaden Hendrikse - scrumhalf
- Jan-Hendrik Wessels - hooker
- Jasper Wiese - loose forward
- Jean Kleyn - lock
- Jesse Kriel - centre
- Johan Grobbelaar - hooker
- Jordan Hendrikse - flyhalf
- Kurt-Lee Arendse - wing
- Kwagga Smith - loose forward
- Lukhanyo Am - centre
- Makazole Mapimpi - wing
- Malcolm Marx - hooker
- Manie Libbok - flyhalf
- Marco van Staden - loose forward
- Morne van den Berg - scrumhalf
- Nicolaas Janse van Rensburg - lock
- Ntuthuko Mchunu - prop
- Ox Nche - prop
- Phepsi Buthelezi - loose forward
- Pieter-Steph du Toit - loose forward
- Quan Horn - fullback
- RG Snyman - lock
- Ruan Nortje - lock
- Ruan Venter - loose forward
- Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu - flyhalf
- Salmaan Moerat - lock
- Siya Kolisi - loose forward
- Thomas du Toit - prop
- Trevor Nyakane - prop
- Vincent Koch - prop
- Wilco Louw - prop
- Willie le Roux - fullback
Source: UGC
Who is the highest-paid Springbok player?
The salaries of Springbok rugby players remain undisclosed. Even so, it is known that the salaries differ depending on a player's experience and the terms and conditions of the contract they sign.
Although Springbok players' salaries are largely unknown, the team has produced a few of the world's best and highest-paid rugby players.
Handre Pollard, who plays for the South Africa national team and Leicester Tigers in England's Premiership Rugby, helped the Springboks win two Rugby World Cups (2019 and 2023).
There are reports that Handre Pollard now earns around £600,000 a season at Leicester Tigers. This means that Handre Pollard's salary per month is about £60,000, seeing that one rugby season can run up to ten months.
Another elite player is Eben Etzebeth, who plays for Sharks in the United Rugby Championship and the South Africa national rugby team. Etzebeth now earns over R18 million annually.
How much is Siya Kolisi paid?
Siya Kolisi is the immediate former Springbok captain and a loose forward, positions that increased fans' curiosity about his income. He currently plays for the Sharks in the URC. The South African reported that Siya Kolisi's annual salary is R18,610,529.00, and his monthly salary is R1,550,877.42.
What is Rassie Erasmus' salary?
Johan "Rassie" Erasmus is a South African rugby union coach and former player. He managed Springbok excellently during the team's victorious 2019 and 2023 Rugby World Cup campaigns.
The Springbok coach's salary was made public in late 2024. Rassie Erasmus reportedly took home about R1.5 million a month.
Following the revelation, many Springbok fans hailed Rassie Erasmus as a national treasure. They believed he should be paid much more, and demanded that his salary be tripled henceforth.
How much does Faf de Klerk get paid?
Faf plays scrum-half for Japan Rugby League One club Yokohama Canon Eagles and the South Africa national team. His payment details remain hidden from the public.
What you need to know about the Springboks
The men’s South Africa rugby union team, known as The Springboks, is a team with a rich rugby history that began with their first test match on 30 July 1891 against a touring British Isles team. In 1906, Paul Roos led South Africa's inaugural overseas tour to the British Isles and France with a team predominantly from the Western Province.
The team's rivalry with New Zealand started in 1921 when players faced the All Blacks at Carisbrook in Dunedin. Across 108 matches between the two nations, the All Blacks have claimed 62 victories, the Springboks 42, with four games ending in draws.
A dramatic moment in Springbok history occurred during the 1981 New Zealand tour, where a low-flying plane dropped flour bombs during a test at Eden Park, but the match carried on regardless.
Where can you get the latest Springbok news?
You can get updates from the team's social media pages.
- Facebook: @Springboks
- X: @Springboks
- Instagram: @bokrugby
How much do Springbok rugby players get paid?
The average Springbok salary depends on the experience each player has and which accomplishments they achieve. The income is still significant, making each player enough money to live comfortably.
Who is the highest scorer for The Springboks?
Percy Montgomery is the highest scorer for The Springboks. He was the first Springbok to break the 100 cap barrier and became the leading points scorer in South Africa's history.
The Springboks boast of an impressive World Cup record. Legendary coaches like Kitch Christie, Jake White, Rassie Erasmus, and Jacques Nienaber have guided the team to these triumphs, cementing South Africa’s place as a rugby powerhouse. The Springbok salary varies from player to player.
Briefly.co.za recently published Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu's biography. Feinberg-Mngomezulu is a fast-rising Springbok player.
In 2024, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu earned a nomination for World Rugby's Breakthrough Player of the Year, highlighting a standout year. He has impressed with his skill and versatility in the field.
Source: Briefly News
