Players' Guide 2023/24

2023/24 GUIDE THE PLAYERS’

CONTENTS

1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10

MyOrgInfo

Who we are and what we stand for

MyOrgStructure

See who your player representatives are and who serves on the organisational structures.

MyCommercial

We look after your collective intellectual property rights and the commercialisation thereof.

MyDistributions

We ensure that you receive the appropriate remuneration for the use of your collective commercial rights and manage the payment thereof.

MyIndustrial

We negotiate minimum employment terms on a player’s behalf as part of a collective player group.

MyPlayerAffairs

We assist you with any player-related matters and questions.

MyDevelopment

We provide you with the personal development opportunities to equip you with skills to use for life outside of rugby.

MyNumbers

We provide you with a platform to save for retirement and to look after your medical safety before you step onto the field.

MyComms

We connect with you, external stakeholders, the general public and media through various channels.

MyBenefits

02 03 10 12 14 18 20 23 28 30

MyOrgInfo

OUR PURPOSE STATEMENT

We believe rugby is more than just a game.

OUR MISSION STATEMENT

We provide player-driven solutions to improve the lives of our members.

OUR VALUES

RESPECT

For ourselves and the players we serve

LOYALTY

We serve and work for the players

ACCOMMODATION

Accommodate players at all cost and benefit to them

INTEGRITY

Underpins everything we are and do

MyOrgStructure

MYPLAYERS BOARD Function

Determines the organisation’s strategy and the execution thereof with the necessary financial discipline

Jean de Villiers (Chairperson)

Eugene Henning (CEO)

Marvin Orie (Non-executive Director)

Pat Lambie (Non-executive Director)

Siviwe Soyizwapi (Non-executive Director)

Nolusindiso Booi (Non-executive Director)

Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohojé (Non-executive Director)

YOUR PLAYER REPRESENTATIVES

Function

The provincial player representatives serve as your player group’s direct link, intermediary and communication channel with MyPlayers.

Stedman Gans (Blue Bulls)

Reinhard Nothnagel (Golden Lions)

Francois Kleinhans (Pumas)

Thurlow Marsh (Boland)

George Whitehead (Griquas)

Werner Kok (Sharks)

Onke Dubase (Border)

Thato Mavundla (Griffons)

Impi Visser (Springbok Men’s Sevens)

Andre Manuel (SWD Eagles)

Valentino Wellman (Valke)

Neethling Fouché (Western Province)

Jeandré Rudolph (Cheetahs)

HP Swart (Leopards)

Eloise Webb (Springbok Women’s Sevens)

SARPA EXECUTIVE COMMITTEE

The South African Rugby Players’ Association (SARPA) is the registered trade union which exclusively represents the professional rugby players. It serves as a platform for the players to collectively exercise their labour rights, and it also empowers them to take collective action on matters pertaining to their employment. The day-to-day management of SARPA is conducted by MyPlayers.

Mandisi Tshonti

Eloise Webb

Thomas du Toit

Marvin Orie (President)

Francois Kleinhans

Siviwe Soyizwapi

Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohojé (Vice President)

Lizo Gqoboka

Reinhard Nothnagel

TRUSTEES OF THE PLAYERS’ TRUST

Function

The Players’ Trust is licensed to use and represent the collective commercial rights of the professional rugby players in South Africa. These players’ rights are made available to external stakeholders to be used for broadcasting purposes, various sponsorship programmes, and for general media use. The Players’ Trust also facilitates sub-licensing agreements with third parties and continuously monitor the usage of these rights. The strategy and implementation of the Players’ Trust mandate is overseen by the trustees. They are also responsible to make decisions with regards to your commercial distributions.

Eugene Henning

Frans Malherbe

Ruan Dreyer

Siviwe Soyizwapi

Oupa Mohojé

Nolusindiso Booi

Thomas du Toit

Impi Visser

Babalwa Latsha

THE MYPLAYERS TEAM

Oversees

Organisation.

+27 82 657 2908

Mandisi

+27 82 738 1377

Isma-eel

PLAYERS AFFAIRS MANAGER ismaeel@my-players.com

+27 84 484 4412

GENERAL MANAGER: LEGAL, COMPLIANCE AND GOVERNANCE reghana@my-players.com

+27 83 231 6824

+27 71 470 4901 David

Villiers GENERAL MANAGER: FINANCIAL SERVICES david@my-players.com

+27 82 460 2803 Tracey

+27 72 875 5671 Helga

+27 82 073 3455

+27 72 826 0202

+21 66 307 5474

de

Réghana Harneker

Welmarie van der Spuy

the day-to-day operations of MyPlayers and manages the products and services provided by the Players’

The team is also responsible for the management of SARPA and The Players’ Trust.

Eugene Henning CHIEF EXECUTIVE OFFICER eugeneh@my-players.com

MyCommercial

COMMERCIAL PROGRAMME

Players who qualify for the commercial programme annually receive on an annual basis, distributions from MyPlayers for the use of their commercial rights within the rugby industry.

What are your commercial rights?

You do not only render your “playing services” (i.e. training and playing rugby on the field), but also contribute the right to the use of your personal attributes (name, nickname, image, likeness, signature, voice and biological information) to the game. These personal attributes, or intellectual property rights, play an essential role in creating value, interest, and vitality in rugby.

THE PUBLIC GETS INTRODUCED TO RUGBY THROUGH 3 DIFFERENT MEDIUMS

These three mediums also create an income stream for rugby.

INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

➤ When one or two players without team kit are being used together in a campaign for commercial gain.

➤ You and your agent manage these rights and external parties can contact you directly to utilise these rights. Individual rights are not part of the MyPlayers commercial rights programme, and you will not receive remuneration from MyPlayers for the use of your individual rights.

BUTFor rugby to commercially utilise these three mediums, broadcasters, sponsors and the creators of licensing products need access to the various types of player rights.

COLLECTIVE RIGHTS

➤ MyPlayers manages these rights

➤ When three or more players with or without team kit are being used together in a campaign for commercial gain. These rights are secured by MyPlayers and include: APPEARANCES

➤ When your employer requests you to perform an appearance for them, or one of their commercial partners or sponsors at a planned event or function.

➤ Charity events and media duties DO NOT count as commercial appearances. ATTRIBUTES

➤ Player information (names, height, weight, Test caps, etc.)

➤ Signatures and images

THERE ARE TWO TYPES OF PLAYER RIGHTS 1 2

BROADCASTING SPONSORSHIPS LICENSING PRODUCTS

MyDistributions

COMMERCIAL RIGHTS DISTRIBUTIONS

Below is a breakdown of your projected collective commercial rights distributions for appearances performed and/or matches played in 2023.

NATIONAL PLAYERS

Springboks and Blitzboks

R49 243

R30 000

approximate amount per player per match

approximate amount per appearance performed for the Springbok team

R20 000

R124 904

Played in URC, EPCR and SAA games

R4 935 per player per match

approximate amount per player per tournament per player in the 2023/24 HSBC World Rugby Sevens Series.

approximate amount per player in the national Springbok Men’s Sevens squad for six months or longer

MATCHES

Played in Premier Division of the Currie Cup

R2 961 per player per match

APPEARANCES

Played in First Division of the Currie Cup

R1 974 per player per match

R1 500 paid per player per commercial appearance performed for your province. To qualify for the maximum amount of R1 500, you must have:

➤ Played in at least one Test match for the Springboks, OR

➤ Played at least 21 Vodacom Super Rugby, Guinness PRO14, URC or EPCR matches during your career, OR

➤ Formed part of an official URC or EPCR squad at the time the appearance was performed.

NOTE: The amount paid to players will be tax deductible by 45%. An IRP5 will be available on the MyPlayers App after payments.

MyIndustrial

SARPA

SOUTH AFRICAN RUGBY PLAYERS ASSOCIATION

WHAT IS SARPA?

The South African Rugby Players Association is the official registered trade union of all the professional rugby players in South Africa.

BECOME MEMBERS OF

Structures your minimum employment matters through various agreements.

WHAT DOES SARPA DO?

PLAYERS

SARPA manages all your collective employment matters on your behalf on provincial and national level. SARPA ensures that your minimum collective employment matters are formally recorded and agreed to in various collective agreements.

2023 Industry Collective Agreement (SARICA)

The Industry Collective Agreement regulates the terms and conditions of employment applicable to all contracted rugby players and the relationship between the members of SARU, SAREO and SARPA.

THREE PROVINCIAL CLASSIFICATIONS

MINIMUM REMUNERATION

PROVINCIAL PLAYERS

R37 780 per month

For playing in URC and EPCR

Minimum term: 12 months

PROVINCIAL PLAYERS

R11 440 per month

For playing in the Currie Cup

Minimum term: 12 months

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS (Non-franchises only)

R6 480 per month

Minimum term: 6 months

FREE AGENT

DEVELOPMENT PLAYER (only contracted by the International Franchise)

Not applicable, but you will need to have a comprehensive medical aid cover

Minimum term: Not applicable

If your contract includes the terms below, you will be regarded as a free agent.

Free agents can be used as:

➤ Development player

➤ Semi-professional player

➤ Professional player (only allowed at domestic and non-franchises)

Implications for a free agent

➤ No minimum salary or term applicable

➤ You can give your employer 14 days’ notice to terminate your contract.

MyPlayerAffairs

WHAT DO WE DO?

We assist you with any day-to-day player-related questions or queries you might have

Other relevant services we provide to you

ON-FIELD CITINGS AND DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS

CONTRACTRELATED ENQUIRIES

MONITORING OF MINUTES AND GAMES

REST PERIODS

MyDevelopment

OUR GOAL

is to take care of the holistic development of you –the player – and to provide you with personal development opportunities that will equip you with the necessary skills and education for life outside of rugby.

SIX AREAS OF FOCUS

MYPLAYERS BURSARY PROGRAMME

➤ Apply via the MyPlayers App (MyDevelopment > Career and Education) or contact Hilana Claassens, your National Player Development Manager.

➤ Bursaries are awarded annually and the application period starts in October.

YOUR PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS

Responsible for assisting players with their career-development requirements for life outside of and after rugby

Hilana Claassens

Blitzboks, Springbok Women (7’s & 15’s), Emerging and Non-Franchises

OUR MENTAL WELL-BEING HOTLINE: 076 349 3409

NOTE: The 24/7 Hotline is completely confidential. You will be put in contact with a mental health professional in your area who will adhere to the strictest confidentiality principles. MyPlayers will pay for your first four sessions.

✉ hilana@my-players.com

✆ +27 71 470 4901

Anina Coetzee Pumas

✉ admin@aninaip.co.za

✆ 082 454 1770

Sally Joubert Cheetahs

✉ sjoubert@cut.ac.za

✆ +27 81 305 8675

Hendy Seerane Vodacom Bulls

✉ hendy.seerane@puma.com

✆ +27 72 631 1269

Kirsten van Heerden Sharks

✉ kirsten@newtonagency.co.za

✆ +27 84 800 3322

Claus Kempen Griquas

✉ claus.kempen@gmail.com

✆ 082 555 9746

Bronwyn Dodds

✉ bronwyn@bdoddsconsulting.co.za

✆ +27 83 274 1110

Alastair Theys WP

✉ alastairtheys@gmail.com

✆ 083 532 7730

8MyNumbers

PLAYERS’ PENSION FUND SAVING FOR RETIREMENT

The Players’ Pension Fund is a monthly savings tool for you to ensure that you grow an asset until you reach retirement age.

MINIMUM CONTRIBUTION: 15% OF YOUR SALARY

All players earning more than R95 750 annually contribute to the Players’ Pension Fund.

BENEFITS OF CONTRIBUTING

➤ Effective and cost-effective way to prepare you for when you reach retirement age

➤ If you start contributing from a young age = better results!

➤ You get 100% tax benefits on your contributions immediately!

➤ Each year, MyPlayers appoints an independent investment specialist to do a cost and performance review of the Players’ Pension Fund ensuring you get the best possible return on

INJURY BENEFITS AND LIFE COVER

➤ All injuries should be reported to your employer’s medical team as soon as possible after an injury, accident or diagnosis.

GENERAL INJURY BENEFIT

➤ Covers you if you are unable to play due to an injury, illness or accident

➤ The injury benefit = provides salary continuation for 18-24 months while injured, from date of the incident (previous minimum was 12 months).

➤ Maximum cover of up to R5 million per annum on your salary available.

➤ This benefit is FREE for MyPlayers members. Exclusions may apply, e.g. the chronic and degenerative effects of old injuries.

➤ During the time that you are out of action, we ensure that you still get paid your normal monthly salary.

CATASTROPHIC INJURY BENEFIT

➤ This benefit is payable when you can’t continue to play and are incapable of fulfilling any other occupation due to an injury, illness or accident.

➤ The benefit will be calculated as 3 times your annual salary. This amount will be limited to a maximum of R6 million but will not be less than R1 million.

LIFE COVER (‘DEATH BENEFIT’)

➤ Brought to you by FUNDSATWORK UMBRELLA FUNDS from Momentum Corporate

CARING FOR YOUR LOVED ONES WHEN YOU NO LONGER CAN

➤ The MyPlayers Death Benefit was added to your membership benefits portfolio in 2020. Every member of The Players’ Pension Fund will receive the peace of mind from knowing that a Death Benefit will provide for your elected beneficiaries in the event of your death.

COMPULSORY COVER EXTRA VOLUNTARY COVER

➤ Your compulsory lump sum death benefit:

• R150 000 will be paid to your loved ones if you pass away.

• This amount is added to your Pension Fund savings as a booster to assist your dependents.

➤ Monthly premium:

• This R24 premium is tax-deductible and forms part of your current pension fund contribution.

• No underwriting needed

➤ You may choose to increase your death benefit amount at an extra cost.

➤ You can increase your cover in bands of R500 000

➤ Your monthly premium increases by R75 for every R500 000

➤ Secure up to a maximum of R4 million paid out for a premium of R600 pm.

➤ No underwriting required* for cover of R2 million or less. *Terms and conditions apply.

SHORT-TERM INSURANCE GENERAL FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SPECIALIST ASSISTANCE

➤ WHAT IS SHORT-TERM INSURANCE? It’s insurance to protect you from financial loss regarding valuable belongings or assets in case of:

• Burglary or theft

• Damage or accidents

• Natural disasters

➤ BELONGINGS THAT YOU CAN INSURE FOR INCLUDE:

• HOME CONTENT: TVs, refrigerators, training equipment, etc.

• PERSONAL BELONGINGS: Cellphones, rings, watches, etc.

• VEHICLES: Cars, motorcycles, etc.

OUR PARTNER:

ADVANTAGES OF INSURING THROUGH CTRL.

➤ Ctrl. provides a digital and easily accessible platform of various short term insurers, with a specialist advice function to obtaining quotes, compare products and premiums for cover.

➤ You can get your quote and receive assistance via a dedicated MyPlayers digital link.

➤ Access to a 24/7 claims and emergency helpline

➤ MyPlayers provides all members with basic educational sessions, material and digital financial planning tools while being a professional rugby player.

➤ Specialist advisers from the MyPlayers adviser panels for individual financial plans and tax services can be considered by each member when needed.

➤ PlaySmart provides all MyPlayers members, through the MyPlayers App, with a unique financial planning tool, analysing your financial well-being while highlighting your individual areas of strengths and weaknesses.

The MyPlayers Financial Services division is an authorised financial services provider with the Financial Sector Conduct Authority (FSP46999)

MyCommunications

Ensuring two-way and effective communication between MyPlayers and the group of players, as well as effective communication to external stakeholders, the general public and media.

SOCIAL MEDIA

Give us a follow and get the conversation started:

LATEST UPDATES ON THE APP

➤ Check your games and minutes played in a season.

➤ Log your off days on the app.

➤ Use the Play Smart financial tool.

CONTACT PERSON

Laykin Rudolph

MyPlayers Communications Manager

App messages: MyComms

✆ +27 72 875 5671

✉ laykin@my-players.com

MyBenefits

We have negotiated excellent group discounts and service offerings from some of South Africa’s most reputable brands for you, your partner and your entire family.

GENERAL EDUCATIONAL

For more information on the Benefit Partners and their offering, head to the MyPlayers app.