Not all Springboks struck gold in 2025! While the Springboks are renowned for their impressive talent on the rugby field, not every player reaps the financial rewards that come with international selection. In fact, player earnings are directly tied to their appearance in the match-day squad led by coach Rassie Erasmus. To put it simply, the less frequently a player is chosen for a game, the smaller their earnings from match fees.
According to insights shared by SA Rugby, as previously mentioned in The South African, the Players of National Interest (PONI) figures reveal the pay structure for the 2025 season. Thus, let’s delve into who among the 49 players that donned the Springbok jersey in 2025 ended up with the least monetary gain.
WHO WERE THE LOWEST-PAID SPRINGBOKS IN 2025?
Evan Roos, Salmaan Moerat, and Makazole Mapimpi each participated in just one Test match throughout the 2025 season. Consequently, each of these players earned R118,197.93 for that singular appearance, making them the lowest earners among the Springboks this year.
It's worth noting that Jean-Luc du Preez also played only once for South Africa this season; however, his match was against the Barbarians, which does not qualify as an official Test match.
This analysis does not account for players sidelined by injury. Notable mentions who were unavailable due to long-term injuries include Cameron Hanekom, Elrigh Louw, Trevor Nyakane, Frans Malherbe, and Deon Fourie, all of whom missed the entire season.
A DRAMATIC DIFFERENCE IN EARNINGS AMONG SPRINGBOKS THIS YEAR
On the flip side, the highest-paid player among the Springboks in 2025 is none other than prop Wilco Louw, who earned an impressive R1,536,573.09 after participating in 13 Test matches. This stark contrast between the top earners and those at the bottom is noteworthy.
Additionally, Malcolm Marx, who was honored as the World Rugby Player of the Year, along with fan favorites like Sacha Feinberg MngomeZulu, scrumhalf Cobus Reinach, and lock Ruan Nortje, also enjoyed significant earnings. Each of these players brought in over R1.4 million for their contributions in 12 Test matches this season. Close behind them were captain Siya Kolisi, Damien de Allende, and Canan Moodie, each pocketing more than R1.3 million.
But here's where it gets controversial: How should we view the disparities in player earnings? Is it fair that some players make millions while others earn far less for their contributions to the team? What do you think? Join the conversation in the comments below!
