Top Earning Sports Stars in South Africa 2025 Revealed

Mzansi’s Big Earners: Who’s Leading the Pack?

South African athletes aren’t just breaking records – they’re building serious fortunes. In 2025, a mix of massive club salaries, sponsorship deals, international contracts, and smart business moves have pushed several stars into the top earning tier. From rugby fields to PSL stadiums and cricket leagues to golf greens, here’s who’s earning what – and how they did it.

Rugby: Siya Kolisi Tops the Chart

Siya Kolisi, the iconic Springbok captain, is the highest-paid South African-based rugby player in 2025, earning around R1.55 million per month playing for the Sharks. His leadership extends beyond sport, and so does his income.

Fellow Springbok Eben Etzebeth also ranks among the top earners, although exact figures remain private. Meanwhile, Bryan Habana, retired from the game but still a household name, boasts a net worth of approximately R614 million, thanks to a mix of playing earnings and post-rugby business success.

Football: PSL Salaries Are Sky-High

In the Premier Soccer League (PSL), Samir Nurkovic leads the way, pulling in R930,000 per month as of 2025 (Gauteng Tourism Authority). That makes him the highest-paid footballer in the country.

Close behind is Deon Hotto, the Namibian midfielder for Orlando Pirates, who earns around R500,000 monthly. While many PSL player salaries remain private, industry insiders confirm that some elite footballers earn over R1 million per month.

Retired stars are still in the money. Steven Pienaar sits on a net worth of roughly R523 million, and Benni McCarthy – fresh from a coaching stint at Manchester United – holds an estimated R290 million.

Cricket: Legends Still Cashing In

AB de Villiers, though retired from international cricket, continues to earn through high-profile endorsements and a lasting IPL legacy. His estimated net worth stands at R265 million.

Jacques Kallis, often considered one of the greatest all-rounders in cricket history, has amassed a net worth of around R980 million.

Meanwhile, rising IPL salaries are propelling many current South African cricketers into millionaire status, with some breaking auction records.

Image 1: theClubhouse

Golf: Mzansi’s Billion-Rand Icons

Golf continues to be the most lucrative code for South African sportspeople.

• Gary Player leads with a staggering R4.5 billion fortune built through a global career spanning decades, course design, and personal branding.

• Ernie Els, affectionately known as “The Big Easy,” has accumulated R1.5 billion, thanks to four major wins and a successful wine business.

• Louis Oosthuizen (R496 million) and Charl Schwartzel (R457 million) complete South Africa’s elite circle of golf millionaires.

What Fuels These Fortunes?

• Club salaries in the PSL and domestic rugby leagues

• IPL contracts and international cricket tournaments

• Brand endorsements with major names like Puma, Adidas, Audi, etc.

• Business ventures including wine brands, sports academies, and golf course design

• Longevity and legacy: retired legends like Gary Player and AB de Villiers still generate income

South African athletes are not only national icons – they’re financial powerhouses. Whether it’s Kolisi’s leadership, Nurkovic’s striker salary, or Gary Player’s billion-rand empire, these sports stars show how local talent can lead to global wealth. As endorsements grow and international leagues thrive, expect this list to evolve – along with the fortunes of Mzansi’s finest.

Also read: Young, Ambitious & Wealthy: Meet South Africa’s 20 Youngest Millionaires in 2025

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Featured Image: sangoco