Springboks Top 10 Highest‑Paid Players of 2025

Here’s the full breakdown of the Springboks Top 10 Highest‑Paid Players of 2025, ranked from No. 10 to No. 1, based on their latest known club earnings. Note: this ranking highlights club salaries only; national team (“PONI”) stipends are not included, unless specifically reported.

 

 

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🔟 Tied – Other Springboks

 

A variety of Springboks earn slightly less than the top 5–6 but still pull in healthy salaries, especially those plying their trade abroad. Players like Pieter-Steph du Toit, Kurt-Lee Arendse, RG Snyman, and Jordan Hendrikse have solid, high-six-figure earnings overseas or domestically. However, precise figures for 2025 remain elusive . They generally earn between R10–15 million (≈US 600k–900k) annually.

 

 

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9️⃣ RG Snyman (Lock, Leinster) – ≈ R11–13 million/year

 

RG Snyman, the formidable lock for Leinster and Springboks, is currently earning within this salary band. Irish URC and European clubs typically pay their marquee internationals around this range .

 

 

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8️⃣ Jordan Hendrikse (Fly‑half, Sharks) – ≈ R10 million/year

 

A rising star in SA rugby, Hendrikse joined the Sharks in 2024 and is estimated to be on a solid R10 million annual package—a figure reflecting the URC’s increasing salary cap and investment in homegrown talent .

 

 

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7️⃣ Eben Etzebeth (Lock, Sharks) – R18 million/year

 

A cornerstone of both the Springboks and the Sharks pack, Etzebeth’s club earnings are firmly pegged at ~R18 million annually (≈ R1.5 million monthly) .

 

 

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6️⃣ Siya Kolisi (Flanker & Captain, Sharks) – R18.6 million/year

 

The first Black Springbok captain, and leader in back-to-back World Cup wins (2019, 2023), Kolisi makes around R18.6 million annually with the Sharks—about R1.55 million per month .

 

 

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5️⃣ Faf de Klerk (Scrum-half, Toyota Verblitz) – R21 million/year

 

A global star due to his explosive style, de Klerk earns an estimated R21 million per year in Japan’s top-flight rugby with Toyota Verblitz, translating to R1.75 million a month .

 

 

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4️⃣ Cheslin Kolbe (Wing/Fullback, Tokyo Sungoliath) – R22 million/year

 

Speedster Kolbe is widely reported as the highest‑paid Springbok in club terms. His R22 million per year contract (≈ R1.83 million monthly) with Tokyo Sungoliath places him above Kolisi and de Klerk .

 

 

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3️⃣ Handré Pollard (Fly‑half, Leicester Tigers / Bulls) – R31 million/year

 

Returning to the Bulls in 2025 after a stint at Leicester, Pollard remains the top Springbok earner. His Leicester contract reportedly paid R31 million per year (≈ R2.5 million monthly), and he’s set to keep that level of income even back in South Africa .

 

 

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2️⃣ Outside Top 10 – Japanese & European imports

 

A few Springboks outside the usual starting XV (like commercial-inclined backs or older internationals abroad) may earn pay packages in the R5–10 million range annually. These slots (No. 10–7) are occupied by fringe players earning mid-six-figure to low-seven-figure salaries overseas .

 

 

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1️⃣ Cheslin Kolbe: Official No. 1

 

With R22 million a year, Kolbe appears to be the top-earning active Springbok in terms of disclosed club contracts in 2025. Though Pollard earns more overall (R31 million), Kolbe ranks No. 1 among currently playing, internationally-based stars .

 

 

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📊 Summary Table

 

Rank Player Club & Position Annual Salary (approx.)

 

1 Handré Pollard Leicester Tigers/Bulls (FH) R31 M

2 Cheslin Kolbe Tokyo Sungoliath (Wing) R22 M

3 Faf de Klerk Toyota Verblitz (SH) R21 M

4 Siya Kolisi Sharks (Flanker, Captain) R18.6 M

5 Eben Etzebeth Sharks (Lock) R18 M

6 RG Snyman Leinster (Lock) R11–13 M

7 Jordan Hendrikse Sharks (Fly‑half) R10 M

8–10 Other overseas Springboks Various Positions R10–15 M

 

 

 

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🔍 Insights & Trends

 

1. Japan & Europe Lead on Contracts

Springboks abroad—like Pollard, Kolbe, and de Klerk—take home the largest paychecks thanks to competitive offers in Japan and the UK/France .

 

 

2. URC Investment in Local Talent

South African teams like the Sharks and Bulls are increasingly able to retain top Boks through expanded salary caps and marquee signings .

 

 

3. Elite vs. Emerging Market Gap

There’s a distinct salary gap between elite internationals overseas and both domestic-based stars and emerging players—a trend reflective of global rugby economics.

 

 

 

 

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🏁 Final Thoughts

 

The 2025 ranking shows just how lucrative overseas club contracts can be for top-tier Springboks. Pollard, Kolbe, and de Klerk benefit from this reality, drawing contracts far exceeding what even high-caliber domestic players earn. Meanwhile, stars like Kolisi and Etzebeth remain valuable domestically, with wages sustained by growing URC competitiveness.

 

If you’d like a deeper dive into PONI earnings, comparisons with other Test nations, or details on emerging Springboks, I’d be happy to explore further!