What it pays to be part of Bok matchday squad
The SA Rugby Industry Collective Agreement has provided an explanation of minimum wages for Springbok, franchise, provincial and sevens players, detailing in each case what portion of the salary is covered by SA Rugby.
Where SA Rugby does make a contribution, this is over and above each player’s income from their club contracts and endorsement deals.
Though it seems a professional rugby career is well-paid, a closer look at the tiers below the Springboks perhaps sheds some light on why so many South African players choose to play abroad.
The minimum monthly salary for a player representing a South African union in the United Rugby Championship is just shy of R40,000. The URC is the pinnacle of club rugby in South Africa, while the English Premiership is the top-tier club competition in England.
The starting contract value for a player breaking into a senior Premiership squad, such as academy graduates or those making their first-team debut, typically starts at around £40,000, which is north of R900,000, or almost double the minimum of what their South African counterparts would earn in the URC.
The average salary in the English Premiership has been reported at approximately £150,000.
Meanwhile, the Blitzboks each earn a minimum retainer of R353,000 per annum, incentivised by tournament win bonuses of between R6,000 and R37,000.
The agreement, which covers the period 2024 to 2027, indicates the percentage covered by Saru (in brackets).
Springbok match-day squad: R118,197.93 per match (fully funded)
Springbok non-playing squad: R59,539 per week/R8,505.57 per day (fully funded)
Springbok training squad (released to province): R8,505.57 per day (fully funded)
PONI (Players of National Interest) player minimum salary: R11,985 per month (partially funded via pool)
Semi-professional player minimum salary: R6,790 per month (not specified)
Development player minimum salary: No set minimum
Springbok Sevens minimum annual retainer: R353,062 per year
Sevens tournament win bonus (range): R6,175 – R37,055 per player
Domestic franchise player minimum salary (URC/Europe): R39,575 per month (not specified)
Currie Cup First Division match fee: R2,268 per match (not specified)
