“Top-Earning Rugby Players: Who’s Leading the Financial Game in 2023”
Rugby, known for its physical demands and fierce competition, is a sport that offers lucrative careers to its top players. As the 2023 Rugby World Cup unfolds in France, it’s an opportune moment to explore the financial prowess of some of the world’s highest-earning rugby athletes. Among these elite earners is a South African Springbok player. Notably, a few have retired from the sport but continue to thrive in their own domains.
Bottom of the List: Farrell and Itoje Owen Farrell, the current Captain of England’s national team and the fly-half for Saracens, kicks off the top 10 list with a net worth of $2 million, equivalent to over R38 million. Tied with Farrell is Maro Itoje, another England national team player, and a lock for Saracens.
Eighth on the Roster: Charles Piutau Charles Piutau, a former All Blacks player who now serves as the fullback for Bristol Bears in England, secures the eighth spot. His net worth of $2.5 million, nearly R48 million, is a testament to his financial success.
Seventh-Richest Player: Handre Pollard Handre Pollard, a South African rugby star currently playing for Leicester Tigers in England, claims the seventh position. While he won’t be gracing the Rugby World Cup for the Springboks, his $2.7 million net worth (approximately R51 million) cushions the blow.
Sixth Place: Beau Ryan Australian athlete Beau Ryan, with a rugby history that includes playing for the Cronulla-Sutherland Sharks and the West Tigers, ranks sixth. What sets him apart is his substantial net worth of $10 million, amounting to a staggering R191 million.
Fourth on the Leaderboard: Mike Tindall Mike Tindall, a key figure in England’s 2003 Rugby World Cup victory and a center for Bath and Gloucester, secures the fourth position. His net worth stands at $13 million (around R248 million), solidifying his financial standing.
Second Place: Jonny Wilkinson Former rugby union player Jonny Wilkinson, celebrated for his role as a fly-half with Newcastle Falcons, Toulon, and the British and Irish Lions, secures the second spot. With a net worth of $29 million (over R554 million), Wilkinson boasts considerable wealth.
Third Place: Sonny Williams New Zealand-born Sonny Williams stands out on the list as the sole former rugby player actively participating in another sport, professional boxing. His rugby career included time with the Sydney Roosters, and he is one of the select few to have won Rugby World Cups. Williams ranks third with an impressive net worth of $30 million, equivalent to approximately R573 million.
The Richest on the Field: Sir Bill Gammell Former Scottish rugby player Sir Bill Gammell reigns as one of the wealthiest individuals to have graced the rugby field. Although his rugby career concluded due to injury after playing for Edinburgh Wanderers in the late ’70s, Gammell has transformed into an oil magnate. His net worth of $50 million, surpassing R950 billion, places him prominently in the top echelons of rugby’s financial elite.
Leading the Pack: Simon McDowell At the pinnacle of the list is retired Irish rugby player Simon McDowell, who retired in 1990 following an injury. McDowell’s contributions extended beyond the field as he officiated in two Rugby World Cups in 2007 and 2011. His diverse business interests have propelled his net worth to a remarkable $54 million, exceeding R1 billion, making him the foremost financial powerhouse in the world of rugby.