Top 25 highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League

Top 25 highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League

Lewis Injai, Cyprine Apindi, Peris Walubengo, Adrianna Simwa
updated at April 15, 2024 at 8:53 AM

The South African Premier League (PSL) is officially known as the DStv Premiership. It has 16 teams and attracts elite footballers from the country and across Africa. The impressive salaries of the highest-paid soccer players inspire upcoming footballers in the country.

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
The DStv premiership league comprises 16 teams and is home to top-tier footballers in the country. Photo: canva.com (modified by author)
Source: Original

This article shares the estimated salaries of those who are deemed to be the highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League. The lack of transparency over the salaries South African clubs pay their players makes it hard to find precise figures.

The highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League

Most of the highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League command monthly salaries exceeding R150,000. Their impeccable career stats and devotion to the sport are why they make a lot of money. This article is about the following best-earning players in Mzansi:

Rank

Player

Salary

Team

1.

Keagan Dolly

R1.45 million

Kaizer Chiefs

2.

Samir Nurkovic

R930,000

Club Royal AM FC

3.

Khama Billiat

R850,000

Kaizer Chiefs

4.

Deon Hotto

R500,000

Orlando Pirates

5.

Itumeleng Khune

R480,000

Kaizer Chiefs

6.

Thapelo Morena

R400,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

7.

Peter Shalulile

R400,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

8.

Brian Onyango

R380,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

9.

Sibusiso Vulakazi

R350,000

TS Galaxy

10.

Erwin Saavedra

R350,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

11.

Sipho Mbule

R350,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

12.

Kermit Erasmus

R350,000

Orlando Pirates

13.

Thulani Hlatshwayo

R320,000

Supersport United

14.

Bernard Parker

R300,000

TS Galaxy

15.

Mosa Lebusa

R300,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

16.

Gaston Sirino

R300,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

17.

Yusuf Maart

R300,000

Kaizer Chiefs

18.

Ashley Du Preez

R300,000

Kaizer Chiefs

19.

Richard Ofori

R300,000

Orlando Pirates

20.

Abubeker Nassir

R290,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

21.

Oupa Manyisa

R250,000

Chippa United FC

22.

Mothobi Mvala

R250,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

23.

Themba Zwane

R250,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

24.

Eric Mathoho

R220,000

Kaizer Chiefs

25.

Thembinkosi Lorch

R165,000

Mamelodi Sundowns

The South African Premier League (PSL) is the premier men's professional football league in South Africa. Players' salaries vary widely depending on the team, experience, and contract terms and conditions. Below is a look at the top 25 highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League in 2024.

25. Thembinkosi Lorch - R165,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Thembinkosi Lorch plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @tower003 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Thembinkosi "Nyoso" Lorch
  • Date of birth: 22 July 1993
  • Age: 30 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Bloemfontein, South Africa
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Thembinkosi Lorch is an attacking midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns and the South African national team. He played for Maluti FET, Chippa United, All Stars, and Orlando Pirates before going to the Sundowns in January 2024. Thembinkosi Lorch's salary at Orlando Pirates was around R165,000. He is believed to earn around the same amount at Mamelodi Sundowns.

24. Eric Mathoho - R220,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Themba Zwane plays for the Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: @tower003 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Mulomowandau Eric Mathoho
  • Date of birth: 1 March 1990
  • Age: 34 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Tshiombo, Thohoyandou, Venda, South Africa
  • Current team: Kaizer Chiefs

Eric Mathoho plays as a defender for Kaizer Chiefs and the South Africa national soccer team. He played for Bloemfontein Celtic between 2009 and 2012. The soccer player's salary at Kaizer Chiefs is R220,000.

23. Themba Zwane - R250,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Themba Zwane plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @mshishi18 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Themba Zwane
  • Date of birth: 3 August 1989
  • Age: 34 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Tembisa, South Africa
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Themba Zwane plays as an attacking midfielder for the South Africa national team and Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. He was loaned to Mpumalanga Black Aces from 2013-2014 but later returned to Mamelodi Sundowns. Themba Zwane's salary at Sundowns is R250,000.

22. Mothobi Mvala - R250,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Mothobi Mvala plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @Shika18x11, @Sibiya_Official (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Mothobi Mvala
  • Date of birth: 14 June 1994
  • Age: 29 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Theunissen, South Africa
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns FC

Mothobi Mvala is a defender for Mamelodi Sundowns FC and the South Africa national team. In 2016, he was part of Bafana's squad that played in the Rio Olympics. Mothobi participated in 151 league games for Highlands Park prior to his September 2020 transfer to Mamelodi Sundowns. In those contests, he netted 39 goals. Mothobi Mvala's salary is an average of R250,000.

21. Oupa Manyisa - R250,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Oupa Manyisa plays for the Premier Soccer League club Chippa United. Photo: @acee.20 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Oupa Manyisa
  • Date of birth: 30th July 1988
  • Age: 35 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Mohlakeng, Randfontein, SA
  • Current team: Chippa United FC

Player Oupa Manyisa earns about R250,000 per month. He is currently signed as a central midfielder for Chippa United FC. He started his senior career with Orlando Pirates FC and played for Mamelodi Sundowns and TTM.

20. Abubeker Nassir - R290,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Abubeker Nassir plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @abubaker_nasru (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Abubeker Nassir Ahmed
  • Date of birth: 23 February 2000
  • Age: 24 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Addis Ababa, Ethiopia
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Abubeker Nassir plays forward for Mamelodi Sundowns in the Premier Soccer League and the Ethiopian national team. He previously played for Ethiopia Coffee in the Ethiopia Premier League. Abubeker Nassir's salary is around R290,000, which makes him one of the top 20 highest-paid soccer players in the South African premier league.

19. Richard Ofori - R300,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Richard Ofori plays for the Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates. Photo: @rich.ofori (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Richard Ofori
  • Date of birth: 1 November 1993
  • Age: 30 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Accra, Ghana
  • Current team: Orlando Pirates

Richard Ofori is a goalkeeper for Orlando Pirates of the South African Premier Division and the Ghana national football team. He played for the Wa All-Stars and Maritzburg United before joining the Orlando Pirates in 2020. His salary is estimated at R300,000 per month.

18. Ashley Du Preez - R300,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Ashley Du Preez plays for the Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: @ashleyslosh (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Ashley Du Preez
  • Date of birth: 16 July 1997
  • Age: 26 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Stellenbosch, South Africa
  • Current team: Kaizer Chiefs

Ashley Du Preez plays forward for South African Premier Division club Kaizer Chiefs. His former team is Stellenbosch FC. Preez earns approximately R300,000 per month and is among the highest-paid Kaizer Chiefs players.

17. Yusuf Maart - R300,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Yusuf Maart plays for the Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: @Yusuf Maart (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Moegamat Yusuf Maart
  • Date of birth: 17 July 1995
  • Age: 28 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Cape Town, South Africa
  • Current team: Kaizer Chiefs

Yusuf Maart is an attacking midfielder for the South African national team and the Premier Division club Kaizer Chiefs. Before that, he played for Sekhukhune, Orlando Pirates, and Cape Umoya Utd. Yusuf Maart's salary is estimated to be around R300,000.

16. Gaston Sirino - R300,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Gaston Sirino plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @gastonsirino10 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Leandro Gastón Sirino Rodríguez
  • Date of birth: 22 February 1991
  • Age: 33 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Montevideo, Uruguay
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Gaston Sirino is a winger for the Mamelodi Sundowns of the PSL. He is a former youth academy player of Peñarol and previously played for Bolívar, San Luis, and Unión San Felipe. Gaston Sirino's salary is about R300k per month.

15. Mosa Lebusa - R300,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Mosa Lebusa plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @iDiskiTimes, @NeoMolefe_SA (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Mosa Lebusa
  • Date of birth: 10 October 1992
  • Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Welkom, South Africa
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Mosa Lebusa has played as a center-back or left-back for Mamelodi Sundowns since 2018. Mosa was trained at Ajax Cape Town and has been capped for Bafana six times. Mosa Lebusa's salary is alleged to be around R300,000.

14. Bernard Parker - R300,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Bernard Parker plays for the Premier Soccer League club TS Galaxy. Photo: @bernard_parker_25 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Bernard Parker
  • Date of birth: 16th March 1986
  • Age: 38 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Boksburg, SA
  • Current team: TS Galaxy

Bernard Parker plays as a midfielder or forward for TS Galaxy. He made 73 appearances for the SA national team, scoring 23 goals between 2007 and 2015. He is one of the most talented footballers today. Bernard Parker earns about R300k per month at his current team.

13. Thulani Hlatshwayo - R320,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Thulani Hlatshwayo plays for the Premier Soccer League club Supersport United. Photo: @thulani03 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Thulani Tyson Hlatshwayo
  • Date of birth: 18 December 1989
  • Age: 34 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Soweto, South Africa
  • Current team: Supersport United

Thulani Hlatshwayo plays as a defender for Supersport United and the South Africa national team. He was part of the U-20 team that played in the 2009 FIFA U-20 World Cup. Thulani Hlatshwayo's salary at SuperSport United is R100,000 per month, making him one of the highest-paid players at SuperSport United.

12. Kermit Erasmus - R350,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Kermit Erasmus plays for the Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates. Photo: @erasmus95 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Kermit Romeo Erasmus
  • Date of birth: 8 July 1990
  • Age: 33 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Gqeberha, South Africa
  • Current team: Orlando Pirates and the South Africa national team

Kermit Erasmus plays for Orlando Pirates and the South Africa national team. He is paid around R350,000 monthly at Orlando Pirates. Born in Port Elizabeth, Erasmus moved to Pretoria as a teenager, where he made his professional debut with SuperSport United in 2007.

11. Sipho Mbule - R350,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Sipho Mbule plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @Masandawana, @KickOffMagazine (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Sipho Percevale Mbule
  • Date of birth: 22 March 1998
  • Age: 26 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Bethlehem, South Africa
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Sipho Mbule is among the top 10 highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League. He plays as a central midfielder for the South African Premier Division side Mamelodi Sundowns. Mbule trained with the South Africa under-17 team and presented to the South Africa under-20, under-23, and senior international teams. Sipho Mbule's salary is currently pegged at R350,000.

10. Erwin Saavedra - R350,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Erwin Saavedra plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @esaavedra26, @LaVerdeOficial (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Erwin Mario Saavedra Flores
  • Date of birth: 22 February 1996
  • Age: 28 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Oruro, Bolivia
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Erwin Saavedra plays midfielder or defender for the Bolivian national team and Mamelodi Sundowns. Before moving to South Africa, he was on the Bolivian U-20 team and played for the 2015 South American Youth Football Championship. Erwin Saavedra earns around R350,000, making him one of Sundowns' highest-paid players.

9. Sibusiso Vulakazi - R350,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Sibusiso Vulakazi plays for the Premier Soccer League club Sekhukhune United. Photo: @valdeziscoming11 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Sibusiso Vilakazi
  • Date of birth: 29th December 1989
  • Age: 34 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Soweto, SA
  • Current team: Sekhukhune United

Sibusiso Vilakazi plays as an attacking midfielder for TS Galaxy. He made his international debut for his home country on 12th October 2013. Before joining TS Galaxy, he was signed with Mamelodi Sundowns and Bidvest Wits. Sibusiso Vilakazi used to earn R350,000 monthly at Mamelodi Sundowns. He is believed to earn the same at his new team, Sekhukhune United.

8. Brian Onyango - R380,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Brian Onyango plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @brianmandela16 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Brian Mandela Onyango
  • Date of birth: 24 July 1994
  • Age: 29 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Nairobi, Kenya
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Brian Onyango plays as a center-back. He has played for Premier Soccer League clubs such as Santos and Maritzburg United. He earns a monthly salary of R380,000.

7. Peter Shalulile - R400,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Peter Shalulile plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @OfficialPSL, @Masandawana (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Peter Shalulile
  • Date of birth: 23 October 1993
  • Age: 30 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Windhoek, Namibia
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Peter Shalulile is a Namibian professional footballer. He plays as a striker for the South African Premier Division club Mamelodi Sundowns and is the Captain of the Namibia national team. Peter Shalulile's salary at Mamelodi Sundowns is around R400,000.

6. Thapelo Morena - R400,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Thapelo Morena plays for the Premier Soccer League club Mamelodi Sundowns. Photo: @thapelomorena27 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Thapelo James Morena
  • Date of birth: 6th August 1993
  • Age: 30 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Randfontein, SA
  • Current team: Mamelodi Sundowns

Player Thapelo Morena pockets about R400,000 monthly. He is a defender or midfielder for Mamelodi Sundowns. Since childhood, Thapelo dreamt of becoming a soccer star and kicked off his career with Bloemfontein Celtic FC.

5. Itumeleng Khune - R480,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Itumeleng Khune plays for the Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: @itukhune32 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Itumeleng Issac Khune
  • Date of birth: 20th June 1987
  • Age: 36 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Ventersdorp, South Africa
  • Current team: Kaizer Chiefs

Itumeleng Khune plays as a goalkeeper for Kaizer Chiefs and the South African national team. He captains both teams. Khune is known for his quick reflexes and his distribution. Itumeleng Khune's current salary is about R480k per month. He is also a part-time plumber.

4. Deon Hotto - R500,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Deon Hotto plays for the Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates. Photo: @deon_hotto (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Deon Hotto Kavendji
  • Date of birth: 29 October 1990
  • Age: 33 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Swakopmund, Namibia
  • Current team: Orlando Pirates

Deon Hotto is a Namibian footballer who plays midfield for the Namibia national team and Orlando Pirates. During the 2015 COSAFA Cup final, he scored two goals, helping Namibia win its first international trophy. Deon Hotto earns an estimated monthly salary of R500,000.

3. Khama Billiat - R850,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Khama Billiat plays for the Premier Soccer League club Orlando Pirates. Photo: @khamabilliat (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Khama Billiat
  • Date of birth: 19th August 1990
  • Age: 33 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Harare, Zimbabwe
  • Current team: Kaizer Chiefs

Soccer star Khama Billiat's salary at Kaizer Chiefs is R850k per month. Billiat played for CAPS United FC under coach Lloyd Chitembwe in 2010 before migrating to South Africa. The Zimbabwean professional footballer is a midfielder.

2. Samir Nurkovic - R930,000

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Samir Nurkovic plays for the Premier Soccer League club TS Galaxy. Photo: @nurkovicsamir (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Samir Nurković
  • Date of birth: 13th June 1992
  • Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Tutin, Serbia
  • Current team: TS Galaxy

Samir Nurković is a Serbian football striker who plays for Durban-based PSL Club TS Galaxy. He has previously played for Spartak Vráble, Pohronie, Kaizer Chiefs, Slovan Duslo Šaľa, and Royal AM FC. Royal AM FC used to pay Samir Nurkovic about R930,000 monthly, making him one of the top 20 highest-paid players in Africa. He is believed to be making almost the same amount at TS Galaxy.

1. Keagan Dolly - R1.45 million

highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League
Keagan Dolly plays for the Premier Soccer League club Kaizer Chiefs. Photo: @dolly_keagan07 (modified by author)
Source: UGC
  • Full name: Keagan Larenzo Dolly
  • Date of birth: 22nd January 1993
  • Age: 31 years (as of April 2024)
  • Place of birth: Johannesburg, South Africa
  • Current team: Kaizer Chiefs

Keagan Dolly plays as an attacking midfielder for Kaizer Chiefs in the PSL and the South Africa national team. Keagan Dolly's salary is R1.45 million per month, making him the highest-paid player in the PSL. He won the PSL Young Player of the Season in 2013–14 and CAF Team of the Year.

How much do South Africa league players get paid?

An entry-level football player earns an average salary of R212,238. On the other hand, a senior-level football player with more than eight years of experience earns an average salary of R350,705.

Who is the highest-paid PSL coach?

Arthur Jabulani Zwane, a professional football coach and former player, is the highest-paid coach in the PSL. His monthly salary at Kaizer Chiefs was around R800k.

Who is the highest-paid player in Sundowns?

Bongani Zungu is the highest-paid player in Sundowns. He earns a monthly salary of R700,000.

Who is the highest-paid player in African league?

Ali Maâloul is the highest-paid player in African clubs. He plays for Al Ahly SC of the Egyptian Premier League and earns $1.5 million yearly. He shares this top slot with Percy Tau, who plays for the same team and earns the same amount.

Who is the highest-paid player in the South Africa League?

Keagan Dolly of the Kaizer Chiefs is the top-paid player. The PSL player earns about R1.45 million monthly.

Who is the most-paid soccer player in SA?

Keagan Dolly of the Kaizer Chiefs is the highest-paid footballer in PSL and the most-paid soccer player in South Africa. His monthly pay is R1.45 million.

How much does Lorch earn at Pirates?

Lorch was earning anything between R50 000 and R165000 a month at Pirates.

Who is the highest-paid soccer player in the world?

Cristiano Ronaldo is the highest-paid player in the world. His salary is about $213 million (£173m) a year, and his net worth is $500 million.

Who is the highest-paid player in AFCON?

Sadio Mane, Riyad Mahrez, and Mohamed Salah are the highest-paid players in AFCON (The Africa Cup of Nations). The league is commonly referred to as the TotalEnergies Africa Cup of Nations for sponsorship reasons, or simply AFCON or CAN.

The highest-paid soccer players in the South African Premier League have competitive remuneration packages. The amounts earned depend on a player's experience and the team's specific terms and conditions.

Sportsbrief.com published a list of the highest-paid WWE wrestlers. WWE has worked endlessly to maintain its position as the world's largest wrestling company.

The firm negotiates a 'downside guarantee' with each wrestler and pays them a base salary and bonuses for successful events. Wrestlers earn money through salary, pay-per-view bonuses, merchandise sales, and endorsement deals.

Authors
Lewis Injai photo
Lewis Injai
Cyprine Apindi photo
Cyprine Apindi
Cyprine Apindi is a content creator and reporter with over 4 years of experience based in Kenya. She holds a Diploma in Mass Communication from Kenyatta University.
Peris Walubengo photo
Peris Walubengo
Peris Walubengo is a content creator with 4 years of experience in writing informational and entertainment articles, researching, editing, and proofreading.
Adrianna Simwa photo
Adrianna Simwa
Adrianna Simwa is a content writer at Sports Brief, where she has worked since mid-2022. She has written for many periodicals on a variety of subjects, including news, celebrities, and lifestyle, for more than three years.