Cricketers from South Africa have garnered a reputation for their outstanding performances at the top level of the sport by virtue of their achievements. In the history of South African cricket, some of the most well-known players to ever grace the game include Dale Steyn, AB Devilliers, and Faf Du Plessis.
In this article, we explore the top 10 Cricketers in South Africa who earn the highest salaries:
AB De Villiers
AB de Villiers is widely regarded as one of the most incredible batters of all time. He is well-known for his unique techniques, especially when it comes to playing from behind the wickets.
Renowned among his admirers, the 37-year-old has earned the monikers 'Superman' and 'Mr. 360.' Among the roster of South African cricketers earning top salaries, he consistently claims the title of the highest-paid Proteas player year after year. He makes a whopping 11 INR crores annually from his participation in the Royal Challengers Bengaluru (RCB) team in the IPL. It is believed that his yearly earnings exceed $3 million.
Chris Morris
Chris Morris earns the highest annual salary among all cricketers in South Africa. Morris is a talented right-arm fast bowler who possesses excellent skills in both batting and bowling.
The 34-year-old all-rounder is widely regarded as one of the top pace bowling all-rounders in the game and has played a crucial role in leading his teams to victory on numerous occasions.
Faf du Plessis
Another famous South African cricketer is Faf du Plessis. He has led South Africa in all three formats of the game.
Faf is an exceptional right-handed top-order batsman who possesses the ability to construct innings and successfully conclude them. He is considered one of the most accomplished leaders in South Africa. He has been utilised by numerous T20 franchises, such as Quetta Gladiators, Paarl Rocks, St Kitts & Nevis Patriots, Rising Pune Super Giants, Melbourne Renegades, and various others.
Kagiso Rabada
Kagiso Rabada is an exceptional fast bowler who demonstrates his skills across all formats of the game. Rabada has made significant strides in his career, transitioning from a young novice to the spearhead of South Africa's fast bowling unit.
Rabada is currently one of the most well-compensated South African cricketers, ranking fourth in terms of yearly earnings. He earns over 8 INR Cr annually, which includes $2.5 Lakh in annual compensation from the South African Cricket Board.
Quinton de Kock
Quinton de Kock is an exceptional wicketkeeper-batsman who has also proudly represented South Africa on the international stage. De Kock, alongside Jos Buttler, is currently widely recognised as one of the world's premier wicketkeeper batters.
The 28-year-old southpaw is among the top earners in the South African cricket team, boasting an impressive annual salary. From various revenue streams, he generates approximately 6.5 INR Cr ($8.7 lakh).
David Miller
The 31-year-old cricketer is widely recognised for his exceptional ability to close out matches and his skill as a left-handed batsman in the middle-order. Additionally, he possesses outstanding fielding skills and has successfully led the national T20I team.
Miller is the sixth highest-earning South African cricketer, boasting an impressive income of approximately 5 INR Cr. He has been a dedicated participant in the Indian Premier League, representing the Punjab Kings for a considerable period of time. He has recently joined the Rajasthan Royals, a prominent team in India's top T20 tournament.
Lungi Ngidi
Lungi Ngidi is an exceptionally skilled fast bowler who has made significant strides in his career in recent times. Ngidi possesses exceptional skills as a right-arm pace bowler, consistently delivering thunderous deliveries at speeds exceeding 140 kilometres per hour.
The 25-year-old fast bowler is seventh among South African cricketers in terms of yearly income. He earns approximately 2.2 crore Indian rupees, which encompasses his IPL income from representing MS Dhoni's Chennai Super Kings.
Ever since the 2018 IPL season, Ngidi has been with CSK. His IPL contract earns him a handsome sum of 50 lakh INR, and he is considered to be Rabada's trusted companion in pace bowling. He represents the Titans in the South African domestic circuit.
Temba Bavuma
Temba Bavuma is a skilled right-handed batsman who currently holds the captaincy for South Africa's white ball team. Bavuma is widely regarded as one of the finest batters in South Africa when it comes to his exceptional batting skills.
Every year, the 30-year-old cricket player consistently secures the eighth spot on the list of highest-earning South African athletes. He generates an approximate annual income of 1.9 INR Cr from various revenue streams.
Bavuma participates in the Mzansi Super League (MSL), a premier domestic T20 league in South Africa, alongside his central cricket board contract. He represents the Lions in South Africa.
Farhaan Behardien
Farhaan Behardien is a versatile player who excels in the shorter format of the game. Behardien is a dynamic right-handed batsman known for his aggressive approach at the crease. He is a versatile player who excels in the middle order and is also capable of contributing with his medium-pace bowling.
The 37-year-old all-rounder has played limited-overs cricket for South Africa and led the T20I squad in a series. However, South African selectors are not currently considering him for the national team.
Behardien is ninth in terms of the highest earnings by a South African cricketer in a single year. Through his involvement in numerous T20 tournaments worldwide, he has accumulated an approximate sum of 1.5 INR crore. He played for Punjab Kings in the Indian Premier League and Cape Town Blitz in the Mzansi Super League.
Rassie van der Dussen
Rassie van der Dussen, hailing from South Africa, is a talented right-handed top-order batsman who entered the cricket scene relatively later in his career. He entered the scene in 2018 at the age of 29.
Dussen consistently features in the Proteas squad across all three versions. Throughout the past couple of years, he has shown a certain level of reliability in his batting skills. He recently achieved a remarkable feat by becoming the oldest South African cricketer to achieve his maiden century in an ODI match at the age of 32 years and 54 days.
Dussen is the tenth highest-earning South African cricketer, earning an estimated 1.2 crore rupees annually. He is included in South Africa's list of centrally contracted players.