This is what South Africa’s best-paid rugby player earns

Boosted by the weak exchange rate, the best paid South African rugby player earns more than R10 million per year, according to a new report.

Springbok wing, Bryan Habana, who plies his trade in France, for Toulon, is paid an annual salary of £474,600 (R10.7 million) by his club, making him the 9th richest player in the game according to British newspaper, the Telegraph.

A plethora of New Zealanders feature in the Telegraph’s list thanks to their World Cup winning exploits, having also defended the William Webb Ellis trophy. A number of All Black veterans have cashed in on the nation’s success.

However, the best paid player perhaps surprisingly, is Japanese. Ayumu Goromaru, who plays for Queensland in Australia, cashes in on commercial deals in his native country to boost his earnings.

All Black legend, Dan Carter, moved to Racing 92 in France during the off season – becoming the game’s first ‘million pound player’ in doing so.

South Africa’s Duane’ Vermeulen also moved to Toulon in France after the World Cup, and is the only other South African player to feature on the Telegraph’s list – earning £450,000 (R10.1 million).

Bakkies Botha, who retired last season, following a spell with Toulon, was on an annual contract of £390,000, according to a previous Telegraph report for 2015.

BusinessDay noted that any one time, there are approximately 1,000 professional players in the SA rugby system.

Salaries range between R100,000 and R200,000 annually. The minority who make it into Super Rugby squads will earn between R700,000 and R800,000, the paper said.

In 2014, The Star provided a breakdown of player earnings:

Currie Cup player, limited Super Rugby experience

In SA: R500,000-R700,000/year
In Europe: R1.5m-R2.5m/year

Currie Cup and Super Rugby experience

In SA: R1.5m-R2m/year
In Europe: R3m-R5m/year

SA club player in Europe

€3,000-€5,000/month

Senior Bok in Japan

R8m plus/year

Senior Bok in Europe

R6m-plus/year

Senior Bok in SA

R4m-plus/year – incl provincial contract, win bonuses, commercial work

Top 10 richest rugby union players in the world

#	Name	Country	Club	Salary
1	*David Pocock	Australia	Wasps	£1.4 million
2	Ayumu Goromaru	Japan	Queensland	£1.4 million+
3	Dan Carter	New Zealand	Racing 92	£1.4 million
4	Matt Giteau	Australia	Toulon	£900,000
5	Leigh Halfpenny	Wales	Toulon	£600,000
6	Ma’a Nonu	New Zealand	Toulon	£600,000
7	Jonathan Sexton	Ireland	Leinster	£500,000
8	Charles Piutau	New Zealand	Ulster	£500,000
9	Bryan Habana	South Africa	Toulon	£474,600
10	Manu Tuilagi	England	Leicester	£450,000