South African footballers face stark pay disparities compared to rugby and cricket players, with many struggling to earn a living due to the lack of a minimum wage agreement in the sport.

In South Africa, the pay disparity between professional athletes is glaring, with footballers facing financial struggles that are starkly different from their counterparts in rugby and cricket.

For years, South African football has battled issues surrounding low wages, with several high-profile clubs involved in pay scandals.

One of the most shocking incidents occurred in October 2024, when Premier Soccer League (PSL) second-tier club Leruma United was accused of paying some of its players a mere R1,000 per month.

Only a few months later, in December, top-tier team Royal AM was unable to pay their players due to the South African Revenue Service (Sars) placing the club under curatorship.

At the core of these struggles is the lack of a clear minimum wage structure for footballers in South Africa’s two main leagues, the Betway Premiership and the ABC Motsepe League.

While the law dictates that South African workers earn at least R27.58 per hour, equating to R4,779.38 per month for a 40-hour work week, many footballers are paid far below this minimum, and some clubs have been accused of exploiting this lack of regulation to keep player wages at rock-bottom levels.

This issue is compounded by the fact that, unlike in rugby and cricket, football has no official minimum wage agreement for its professionals.

According to South African football agent Mike Makaab, some of the highest-paid players in the PSL earn up to 40 times more than their counterparts in the same league.

A 2016 survey by the South African Football Players Union (Safpu) revealed that players in the PSL had requested a base salary of R35,000 per month, while those in the second-tier ABC Motsepe League suggested a base of R18,500.

However, the reality for many is much harsher.

In a 2019 survey by the International Federation of Professional Footballers, it was found that 38.4% of PSL players earned less than R8,000 a month—far less than the base salaries offered to cricketers and rugby players in South Africa.

The disparity becomes even clearer when comparing footballers’ wages to those in other professional sports. A rookie cricketer in South Africa earns a minimum of R240,000 per year, a figure far beyond what most PSL players can dream of.

Rugby players, particularly those in the United Rugby Championship playing for teams like the Stormers, Bulls, Sharks, and Lions, earn no less than R35,000 a month.

Even semi-professional rugby players make more than the minimum wage, with a monthly salary of R6,790.

In contrast, many football apprentices or academy players earn a stipend ranging from R1,500 to R2,500 per month. For the top clubs, this can increase to around R10,000, but this is still far below the standard for their rugby and cricket peers.

At the top end of the footballing pyramid, some players in the PSL make a comfortable living, with some earning as much as R600,000 per month. However, this represents a very small percentage of the overall player pool, with the vast majority struggling to make ends meet.

The situation is further complicated by the socio-economic backgrounds of many footballers, most of whom come from poor communities and are eager to make a name for themselves.

According to football business manager Grant Nieuwenhuys, this desperation to succeed often leads players to accept lower wages in the hope of making it big. This can have long-term consequences, as players often struggle with their finances once their careers end.

The lifestyle choices of footballers, particularly those who experience a sudden increase in income, also contribute to their financial struggles.

Nieuwenhuys points out that players often go from earning R20,000 a month to R90,000 following a big move, but fail to adjust their lifestyles accordingly.

Many players, he explains, live beyond their means by buying expensive cars or maintaining lavish lifestyles, despite the precarious nature of their careers.

Nieuwenhuys advises players to save their money and invest wisely, as a football career can be unpredictable and can end abruptly.

Despite the challenges, Nieuwenhuys is optimistic about the future, as the next generation of footballers is starting to approach their careers with a more realistic mindset.

However, for change to truly occur, there needs to be a significant shift in how South African footballers are paid.

There is a growing call for a minimum wage for football players in South Africa, something that could provide more financial stability and ensure that players can support themselves and their families throughout their careers.

The plight of South African footballers is not just about wages—it’s a reflection of the broader socio-economic issues that affect the sport in the country.

While rugby and cricket players benefit from a more structured and lucrative career path, footballers are left to navigate a system that is often exploitative and inconsistent.

As the debate continues, it remains to be seen whether the powers that be will finally address the glaring pay disparities in South African sport.