Rugby is one of the most popular sports in South Africa and has been around since 1883. Two teams and results in a try or a goal when there’s a change of possession play the game. There are 15 players per team, and they can only touch the ball with their hands or feet while passing or kicking it forwards. Rugby is also played at club level (Currie Cup), International level (RWC, Tri-nations) Lions level (Super Rugby) and Bulls level (Super Rugby).
TRYSCORING
- Average salary for a try-scorer = R1,055,440
- Top earner = R4 million per season of Super Rugby
In South Africa, the average try-scorer earns an average of R1 million per year. This is an impressive figure when you consider that the minimum wage in South Africa is just over R20 000 per month (and this excludes many factors such as training and match bonuses).
How are South African rugby players are paid?
They pay South African rugby players on four different levels. There’s the club level (Currie Cup), International level (RWC, Tri-nations), Lions level (Super Rugby) and Bulls level (Super Rugby). At the club level, there are two leagues. The Vodacom Cup and Currie Cup. They pay players a retainer fee which is paid monthly for them to train with their team. A player can earn approximately R40 000 per month at this level of rugby in South Africa.
At an international level, they pay players on a match-by-match basis. The amount will depend on how much you play from one week to another but typically it’s between R10 000-R15 000 per test match or matches played in a competition like the Rugby Championship (which includes New Zealand, Australia and Argentina) or Southern Hemisphere Tour (which includes Australia). Players who take part in Super Rugby also get paid more than those who only play at club level because they’re involved with a higher profile team such as the Bulls or Stormers, etc.”
Conclusion
Money is a big part of any industry, and rugby isn’t any different. They pay players on four levels: Currie Cup (club level), Tri-nations (international level), Super Rugby (Lions level) and Super Rugby (Bulls level). The money that players make depends on their performance at each level and how long they’ve been in the sport.
