Jacques Nienaber

Jacques Nienaber coached the Springboks and guided them in the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament in Paris. Image via Instagram @bokrugby

Highest paid Springboks man is only the second-richest player in the world

Who’s at the top of the pile?

Jacques Nienaber

Jacques Nienaber coached the Springboks and guided them in the 2023 Rugby World Cup tournament in Paris. Image via Instagram @bokrugby

Four Springboks are featured in the top 10 highest-paid rugby players on the planet. None of them are at the top of the tree, though. Where do Siya Kolisi, Cheslin Kolbe and Handre Pollard figure? Let’s take a quick look.


SPRINGBOK STARS ARE REPRESENTED IN THE WORLD’S TOP 10 RICHEST

These are all annual salary figures.

  • Finn Russell (Bath) – R23.3m
  • Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – R21.8m
  • Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – R21m
  • Siya Kolisi (Racing Metro 92) – R19.8m
  • Dan Biggar (Toulon) – R18.6m
  • Owen Farrell (Saracens) – R18.6m
  • Maro Itoje – (Saracens) – R18.6m
  • Antoine Dupont (Toulouse) – R16.3m
  • Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears) – R14.5m
  • Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – R14.2m
Handre Pollard
South Africa’s Handre Pollard scores a penalty during the Rugby World Cup 2023 final match at the Stade de France in Paris, France. Picture date: Saturday October 28, 2023. Photo: David Davies / PA via Backpagepix

KOLISI IS PROUD TO BE IN FRANCE

South African skipper Siya Kolisi led the Springboks to World Cup glory in France and moved to the tournament’s host nation after the tournament. In January 2023 Racing 92 announced they had secured the services of the world-class flanker.

Kolisi said via a club statement: “I am really enthusiastic at the idea of joining Racing 92.

“It is a club with a vision which I have always admired.

“Racing 92 has big ambitions on the pitch and equally very encouraging social affairs projects which correspond to my values and personal goals.”

siya kolisi racing springboks
Siya Kolisi made his debut with Racing 92. Image via X @SpheDludla

FRANS TEYN’S WORLD CUP LEGACY IS ALMOST UNRIVALLED

To illustrate his immense longevity as a player, Frans Steyn beat both Owen Farrell and his father, Andy Farrell, in World Cups. Steyn was there when the Springboks beat England 36-0 in the 2007 World Cup pool stage. He was there when the Springboks beat England 15-6 in the 2007 World Cup final, and he was there 12 years later when the Bokke beat England 32-12 in the 2019 World Cup final. England must hate the sight of this man. Especially the Farrell Family.

Frans Steyn Springboks
Frans Steyn celebrated the RWC victory as a 20-year-old in 2007. Image: Via SA Rugby website.

Which names on this list are you surprised to see, and which are the usual suspects? Let us know in the comments section below.

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