Whopping salary Handre Pollard will earn at the Bulls
Yesterday at 05:56 AM
In what came as quite a surprise last month, it was confirmed that Springbok star Handre Pollard would be returning to the Bulls when his contract with Leicester comes to an end after this season.
Considering Pollard's multi-million rand contract at Leicester, and high market value, it was expected that he would most likely remain overseas, but the Bulls have done a great piece of business in completing this signing.
Due to the salary caps and exchange rate challenges in SA rugby, it was presumed that Pollard would have to accept a significantly reduced pay cheque considering he was said to be earning around £650,000 (roughly R16million) a season at Leicester Tigers.
However, it was recently reported by Afrikaans publication Rapport that Pollard has signed one of the biggest deals in South African rugby, but will also have his earnings supplemented in other ways.
Besides benefiting from a top-up on his earnings as a Player of National Interest (PONI), it was also reported that the Bulls' shareholders Johann Rupert, Patrice Motsepe and Johan van Zyl also financially assisted the franchise in securing Pollard's return.
His ‘homecoming’ also opens other doors to commercial deals that can all add up to a similar salary range he enjoyed in England.
HANDRE POLLARD WILL REMAIN ONE OF THE BULLS AND SPRINGBOKS’ TOP EARNERS
In a breakdown from the South African Rugby Industry Collective Agreement (for 2024-2027), insight was provided into player earnings and the percentage covered by the South African Rugby Union.
At the top of the category, it's revealed that members of the Springbok match-day squad will earn R118,197.93 per match, fully funded by SARU.
For the Springbok non-playing squad, there is a figure of R59,539 per week, while the players in the training squad (released to province) can bank on R8.505.57 per day.
Of course, this is really just a base level breakdown, with numerous leading players banking pay cheques that are vastly more than the minimum salaries.
Pollard said he was looking forward to a return to Loftus.
"I am really grateful for this opportunity. It's something I don't take for granted. Being able to come home after a great few years overseas, I'm beyond excited."
"I started my career at the Bulls, and those six years played a massive role in the person and player I am today. This team and franchise have always had a special place in my heart, and I can't see myself anywhere else in South Africa."
WHAT DO YOU THINK OF THESE FIGURES?
Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 0211.
Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
