Salary cap increased for SA rugby franchises in a bid to keep players in Mzansi

South Africa’s top four rugby franchises will be allowed to spend more money on players next season in an attempt to keep them on home soil.

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With the United Rugby Championship, Currie Cup and the U20 Provincial Championship all overlapping at some point in the 2022 season, franchises will be stretched in terms of personnel.

As such, Sunday’s Rapport newspaper revealed that the salary caps for all domestic teams have been increased, with the four international franchises receiving the biggest boosts.

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The Sharks, Bulls, Lions and Stormers will reportedly be able to spend R65.5 million on senior rugby players in 2022.

This represents a R3.6 million increase, which is set to jump up once again to R67.2 million in 2023.

In addition, 50 players will be allowed to be contracted to each of the four franchises and be paid a minimum salary of R36 155 per month.

On top of this, each of the franchises will be allowed to spend R8 million on development players.

Salary cap for SA’s other rugby franchises lower

Meanwhile, for the other provincial franchises – the Cheetahs, Pumas and Griquas – their salary caps have been increased by R1 million to R17 million and are able to contract up to 45 players.

The report will have attracted interest from those players debating whether to accept lucrative overseas offers or to remain in Mzansi.

However, with SA Rugby’s current policy of seemingly no limit when it comes to selecting overseas-based players, a few extra rands in the pocket shouldn’t make any difference to players fortunate enough to attract offers from abroad.

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