5 of the world’s richest rugby players in 2024 – net worths, ranked: from legends like Sonny Bill Williams, Jonny Wilkinson and Mike Tindall who married into the royal family, to 30-year-old Handré Pollard
As one of the toughest sports due to its dangerous and physical nature, rugby is not a game for the faint hearted. Nevertheless, it proudly remained an amateur sport for years, only becoming professional in 1995. This removed any restrictions on what players can earn, and prompted changes that have transformed many aspects of the game.
Last October, South Africa won the Rugby World Cup for the fourth time by a single point in a nail-biting final. Viewership of the tournament reached 1.33 billion viewing hours (VH), per Rugby World Cup, making the event the most-watched rugby tournament of all time.
This many eyeballs brings in plenty of advertisers and the money has filtered down to the players, some of whom are now becoming immensely wealthy. Here’s how their fortunes stack up in 2024, according to Celebrity Net Worth and other sources.
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5. Handré Pollard, 30
Estimated net worth: US$3 million
One of the top fly-halves in the rugby world, South African star Handré Pollard has achieved worldwide fame playing for Leicester Tigers and South Africa. Since joining Leicester from French team Montpellier in 2022, Pollard has been among the highest earners in the English Premiership.
Pollard was brought in as a late replacement during the 2023 Rugby World Cup and became the hero of the tournament thanks to his kicking. At only 30 years old, he should have several more lucrative years in his Springbok and Tigers’ jerseys ahead of him. Florugby puts his net worth at US$3 million.
4. Mike Tindall, 45
Estimated net worth: US$20 million
Nicknamed the “The Fridge” because of his massive frame, Tindall famously broke his nose at least eight times during his rugby career. He’s also made plenty of appearances on TV reality shows like I’m a Celebrity Get Me Out of Here, Bear Grylls: Mission Survive, The Jump, Shark Cage, Celebrity Poker Club and All-Star Poker Challenge.
His net worth is US$20 million, according to British media.
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3. Jonny Wilkinson, 44
Estimated net worth: US$21 million
English rugby player Jonny Wilkinson played 12 seasons with the Newcastle Falcons before moving over to Toulon in 2009. He first made the England national team during the 1998 season, helping his country to win the Rugby World Cup in 2003.
Due to injuries, Wilkinson was only able to play in one further World Cup, in 2007. He did however help England to win the Six Nations Grand Slam in 2003 and the Six Nations Championship an impressive four times over the years.
2. Sonny Bill Williams, 38
Estimated net worth: US$25 million
He’s also been a global ambassador for Adidas and has had endorsement deals with the likes of Rebel Sport and Powerade.
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1. Simon McDowell, 55
Estimated net worth: US$54 million
Former Irish rugby player Simon McDowell was one of the world’s top players until an injury in 1990 brought his playing career to a premature end. Still having a passion for the sport, he became a umpire. He also runs the McDowell family-owned Kilwaughter Chemical Company, which provides products and services to the construction and agriculture industries in the UK and Ireland.
Thanks to his rugby career and successful family business, McDowell is officially the wealthiest former rugby player on the planet.
- Wilkinson is regarded as one of the all-time great kickers, winning the 2003 Rugby World Cup with England, while Tindall later married Zara Phillips, Queen Elizabeth’s granddaughter
- Pollard won the 2023 Rugby World Cup with South Africa, while New Zealand player Sonny Bill Williams is also a former successful professional heavyweight boxer