How much do SA’s top rugby players earn abroad? New report has Pollard as planet’s highest paid

Springbok flyhalf Handre Pollard, according to a UK report, remains the highest-paid rugby player on the planet.  An investigation conducted by the Ruck.co.uk website sought to identify the top 10 paid players in the world. “We’ve based our figures on reports from Forbes, reputable news outlets and a variety of official sources to get us as close to the mark as possible,” the report said.  Pollard, the research says, brings in an annual eye-watering salary of around R20 million, which is understood to be the same as All Blacks wing Charles Piutau, who plays for Bristol.  Cheslin Kolbe, meanwhile, is now making around R17 million per year since making the move to Toulon.  Eben Etzebeth was the other South African on the list.  World’s highest paid players (according to Ruck.co.uk report): 1 Handre Pollard (K23 million, Montpellier) 1 Charles Piutau (K23 million, Bristol Bears) 3 Eben Etzebeth (K20 million, Toulon) 4 Cheslin Kolbe (R17 million, Toulon) 4 Finn Russell (K19 million, Racing 92) 6 Maro Itoje (K18 million, Saracens) 7 Beauden Barrett (K17 million, Suntory Sungoliath) 7 Virimi Vakatawa (K17 million, Racing 92)