Salaries for rugby players are becoming more and more lucrative every year and the Rugby World Cup has only increased the value of players.
As is natural at the World Cup, players tend to leave for pastures new, looking for a new challenge and hopefully a good salary.
With South Africa winning the Webb Ellis Cup again, some of its biggest stars have secured high-paying contracts in Japan’s rugby league.
Wales star Liam Williams recently signed for Kubota Spears and is said to be taking home £500,000 per season.
Other stars found new challenges without the enhanced package. South Africa’s Handre Pollard, who gave them glory in the World Cup final against New Zealand, has taken a big salary to join Leicester Tigers.
Pollard has even turned down offers from Japan to try his hand at Premiership rugby, saying he wanted to come three years ago but never got the chance, the Daily Mail reports.
South African duo Cheslin Kolbe and Faf de Klerk have moved to the Far East, joining Suntory Sungoliath and Yokohama Canon Eagles.
Many world stars went to Japan to find their fortune and secure a future for themselves and their families. Many New Zealand internationals have made the switch; Sam Cane joined Kolbe at Suntory Sungoliath on a short-term deal, while Richie Moaunga and Ardie Savea did the same at different clubs. These rugby superstars earn big bundles, but they probably earn even more through endorsements and sponsorship deals.
Dan Biggar is on the list to switch from Northampton Saints to Toulon at the end of 2022, with a £200,000 pay rise.
Bath Rugby signing Finn Russell topped the list and will take home more than £1m during the season.
Here are the highest paid players on the planet
- Handre Pollard (Leicester Tigers) – £610,000
- Steven Luatua (Bristol Bears) – £620,000
- Antoine Dupont (Toulouse) – £700,000
- Maro Itoje (Saracens) – £800,000
- Owen Farrell (Saracens) – £800,000
- Dan Biggar (Toulon) – £800,000
- Siya Kolisi (Racing 92) – £850,000
- Faf de Klerk (Yokohama Canon Eagles) – £900,000
- Cheslin Kolbe (Suntory Sungoliath) – £937,000
- Finn Russell (Bath Rugby) – £1 million-plus