Hard work really does pay off. According to reports, the Springboks are set to take a whopping R93 million bonus to the bank after their fourth Rugby World Cup win.
On Tuesday, after arriving at OR Tambo International Airport, SA Rugby president Mark Alexander stated that although World Rugby does not give prize money for winning the tournament, the players will receive win bonuses, reports TimesLIVE.
Mark further explained, “World Rugby does not give prize money for the trophy, but we have win bonuses we planned four years in advance and they are taken care of by that.”
TimesLIVE also reports that Minister of Sport, Arts, and Culture Zizi Kodwa praised SA Rugby for the early arrangement of the players’ bonuses.
“Let’s not compare apples to bananas. You can see how structured and organised SA Rugby is. The issue of bonuses was not resolved on the eve or doorstep of the tournament,” said the minister. “It was way before that and other federations can only get inspiration. That kind of leadership is required by other federations where you don’t have to deal with issues on the door of the tournament because it may affect the performance of the players.”
Zizi also recently admired the leadership of Springboks coach Rassie Erasmus, expressing that he would like to see Rassie help the national soccer team, Bafana Bafana. “With Bafana Bafana, you need the mindset, you need the culture. Rugby’s so structured… Rassie for Bafana Bafana for me!” said Zizi in a video posted by rugby website Rugby 365.