Players' Guide 2024/25

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1. About Us

MyPlayers is the players’ organisation for all professional rugby players in South Africa. Our main drive is to promote and to protect our players’ collective interest within the rugby industry by representing them on a national and provincial level.

We also manage the players’ collective interest as a group and the potential thereof. MyPlayers is 100% owned by the players and they also take on leadership roles by serving on our organisational structures and the MyPlayers board. These structures are responsible for determining the general strategy and vision of the players’ organisation.

2. MyOrgStructure

MYPLAYERS EXECUTIVE BOARD

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

Jean de Villiers (Chairperson)

Eugene Henning (CEO)

Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohojé (Non-Executive Director)

Lukhanyo Am (Non-Executive Director)

Nolusindiso Booi (Non-Executive Director)

Pat Lambie (Non-Executive Director)

Siviwe Soyizwapi (Non-Executive Director)

PROVINCIAL 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)
Jaco Labuschagne (Pumas)
Thurlow Marsh (Boland)
George Whitehead (Griquas)
James Venter (Sharks)
Onke Dubase (Border)
Thato Mavundla (Griffons)
Impi Visser (Springbok Men’s Sevens)
Keano Hendricks (SWD Eagles)
Riaan Arends (EP Elephants)
Valentino Wellman (Valke)
Neethling Fouché (Western Province)
Jeandré Rudolph (Cheetahs)
Ryan Smit (Leopards)
Eloise Webb (Springbok Women’s Sevens)

MYPLAYERS INDUSTRIAL BOARD

Tshonti (General Secretary)

The MyPlayers Industrial Board 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 also empowers them to take collective action on matters pertaining to their employment. The day-to-day management of the MyPlayers Industrial Board is conducted by MyPlayers.

MYPLAYERS COMMERCIAL BOARD

FUNCTION: The MyPlayers Commercial Board 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, for general media use. The MyPlayers Commercial Board also facilitates sub-licensing agreements with third parties and continuously monitors the usage of these rights. The strategy and implementation of the MyPlayers Commercial Board mandate is overseen by the trustees. They are also responsible to make decisions with regards to your commercial distributions.

Mandisi
Lukhanyo Am (President)
Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohojé (Vice President) Frans Malherbe
Eloise Webb
Teboho ‘Oupa’ Mohojé
Werner Kok Reinhard Nothnagel
Ruan Nortje Neethling Fouché
Impi Visser
Nolusindiso Booi
Babalwa Latsha
Marius Louw
Siviwe Soyizwapi

THE MYPLAYERS TEAM

FUNCTION: Oversees the day-to-day operations of MyPlayers and manages the products and services provided by the Players’ Organisation. Also responsible for the management of MyPlayers Industrial Board and MyPlayers Commercial Board.

Eugene Henning

Chief Executive Officer

eugeneh@my-players.com

+27 82 657 2908

Nicole Hayes

National Player Development Manager

nicole@my-players.com

+27 71 470 4901

David de Villiers

MyPlayers Financial Services

david@my-players.com

+27 82 460 2803

Tracey Cable Office Manager

info@my-players.com

+21 21 887 5786

Mandisi Tshonti

General Manager: Player Affairs

mandisi@my-players.com

+27 82 738 1377

Laykin Rudolph Communications Manager

laykin@my-players.com

+27 72 875 5671

Helga Esau Finance Manager

helga@my-players.com

+27 21 887 5786

Danika Groenewald Administrative Assistant

danika@my-players.com

+27 77 600 6180

Isma-eel Dollie

National Player Relationship Manager

ismaeel@my-players.com

+27 84 484 4412

Réghana Harneker

General Manager: Legal, Compliance and Governance

reghana@my-players.com

+27 83 231 6824

Welmarie van der Spuy

Senior Financial Manager

welmarie@my-players.com

+27 72 826 0202

Lungiswa Kokose Office Assistant

PLAYER DEVELOPMENT MANAGERS

FUNCTION: Responsible to assist players with their career-development requirements for life outside of and after rugby

Kelly-Anne Ramsden Bulls

kelly.myplayers@outlook.com +27 63 670 2794

Bronwyn Dodds Lions bronwyn@bdoddsconsulting.co.za +27 83 274 1110

Sally Joubert Cheetahs

sjoubert@cut.ac.za +27 81 305 8675

Anina Coetzee Pumas admin@aninaip.co.za +27 82 454 1770

Alastair Theys Western Province alastairtheys@gmail.com +27 83 532 7730

Claus Kempen Griquas

claus.kempen@gmail.com

+27 82 555 9746

Kirsten van Heerden Sharks kirsten@newtonagency.co.za +27 84 800 3322

3. MyCommercial

COMMERCIAL PROGRAMME

Players who qualify for the Commercial Programme receive annual payments from MyPlayers for the use of their commercial rights in rugby. These commercial rights extend beyond playing rugby and training and include personal attributes such as your name, image, voice and signature - elements that play an essential role in creating value and interest in rugby.

HOW RUGBY GENERATES INCOME

Rugby makes money through three key areas:

BROADCASTING SPONSORSHIPS LICENSING PRODUCTS

To use these platforms, broadcasters, sponsors and product creators need access to player rights.

TYPES OF PLAYER RIGHTS

1. INDIVIDUAL RIGHTS

• These involve one or two players being featured in a campaign without team kit. You and your agent manage these rights and external companies can contact you directly. MyPlayers does not manage or pay for these rights.

2. COLLECTIVE RIGHTS

• Managed by MyPlayers, these involve three or more players being featured with or without team kit for commercial purposes.

These rights include:

• APPEARANCES: When your team asks you to attend an event for a sponsor or partner. Charity events and media duties are not included.

• ATTRIBUTES: Your personal details like name, height, weight, Test caps, signatures and images.

4. MyIndustrial

PLAYERS

BECOME A MEMBER OF

MyPlayers Industrial

WHAT IS MYPLAYERS INDUSTRIAL?

MyPlayers Industrial is the official trade union of all the professional rugby players in South Africa.

WHAT DOES THE MYPLAYERS INDUSTRIAL BOARD DO?

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

YOUR COLLECTIVE EMPLOYMENT MATTERS INCLUDE:

Minimum salaries

Duties as a player

Disciplinary matters

Leave days

Working hours

Termination of contract by province or player

Player Load and Rest Days

WHAT’S YOUR MONTHLY MEMBERSHIP FEE? R100

SENIOR PLAYERS

R50 R50

JUNIOR PLAYERS SENIOR WOMEN

Note: The monthly membership fee will be deducted from your salary by your employer after you have signed a membership form.

5. MyPayments

COMMERCIAL RIGHTS PAYMENTS

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

2024 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 SAREO and MyPlayers Industrial.

THREE PROVINCIAL CLASSIFICATIONS

INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISES

57: Max Provincial Contracted Players (Including Loyalty Players) / 50: for the Cheetahs UNLIMITED: Development Players COMPETITIONS: URC, EPCR , Currie Cup Premier Division, SA Cup, Development Player (U20, U21)

DOMESTIC FRANCHISES NON-FRANCHISES

43: Max Provincial Contracted Players COMPETITIONS: SA Cup, Currie Cup Premier Division

35: Max Provincial and Semi-Professional Contracted Players (Including Free Agent and Club Players Contracts) COMPETITIONS: SA Cup, Currie Cup First Division

MINIMUM REMUNERATION

MINIMUM SALARY (PROVINCIAL PLAYERS)

R39 575

per month (for playing in URC and EPCR)

MINIMUM TERM: 12 months

SEMI-PROFESSIONAL PLAYERS (NON-FRANCHISES ONLY)

MINIMUM SALARY:

R6 790 per month

MINIMUM TERM: 8 months

Semi-professional players have the flexibility to pursue full-time studies and maintain a full-time job alongside their rugby careers.

MINIMUM SALARY (PROVINCIAL PLAYERS)

R11 985

per month (for playing in the Currie Cup) MINIMUM TERM: 12 months

DEVELOPMENT PLAYER (ONLY CONTRACTED BY THE INTERNATIONAL FRANCHISE)

MINIMUM SALARY: Not applicable, but you will need to have a comprehensive medical aid cover MINIMUM TERM: Not applicable

SARU CONTRACTS

Includes all international Women’s 15s matches

Unlimited number of contracts

Minimum period of 12 months

Includes all World Series matches

Unlimited number of contracts

Minimum period of 12 months 15s WOMEN

MINIMUM RETAINER: R195 679

Minimum term: 12 months

Test Match Fee (23 Match Squad): R5 872

Non-contracted Players (Test Match Week): R1 761

Non-contracted 15s Players (per day during camps, locally and overseas): R1 174

MINIMUM RETAINER: R195 679

Minimum term: 12 months

Non-contracted 7s Players (per day during 7s Tournaments):

R1 761

DEVELOPMENT PLAYERS MINIMUM RETAINER: R120 000

Non-contracted 7s Players (per day during camps, locally and overseas): R1 174 World Series Tournament selection fee: R2 500 World SeriesWin bonus per match: R7 500

TOURNAMENT SELECTION FEE: R5 000 WIN BONUS PER MATCH: R15 000

6. MyPlayerAffairs

WHAT WE DO

 We serve as a link between you and MyPlayers.

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

OTHER RELEVANT SERVICES:

ON-FIELD CITINGS AND DISCIPLINARY HEARINGS

We can represent you during a disciplinary hearing. For each game, we’ve got some of our best legal representatives on standby for your use in the case of an on-field citing.

DOPING LEGAL REPRESENTATION

If you tested positive for banned substances, your employer will notify you about your test results. MyPlayers can assist you with proper legal representation.

AGENTS

We can advise you on agent fees, employment remuneration and contract terms and conditions.

PLAYER LOAD

We provide you with monthly updates to your minutes and games played as well as your rest periods.

MYPLAYERS APP ACCESS

We help you with your registration and give you access to the MyPlayers app.

7. MyDevelopment

OUR GOAL

The design and implementation of a player-development programme informed by international best practice that supports and benefits players for life during and after professional rugby. This programme is designed to focus on the holistic development of you, the player, assisting you in becoming the best possible version of yourself, both on and off the rugby field.

CAREER AND EDUCATION

WORKPLACE READINESS

SIX AREAS OF FOCUS

VULNERABILITIES AND LIFE SKILLS PERSONAL MASTERY

MYPLAYERS BURSARY PROGRAMME

By providing a number of partial or full bursaries, MyPlayers offers the opportunity to aid players who require financial assistance to further their formal education.

 Apply via the MyPlayers App (MyDevelopment > Career and Education) or contact Nicole Hayes, your National Player Development Manager.

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

OUR MENTAL HEALTH SERVICE LINE: 076 349 3409

NOTE: The service line is completely confidential and you will be put in contact with a mental health professional who will adhere to the strictest confidentiality principles. MyPlayers will pay for your first four sessions. Additional sessions can be motivated for upon recommendation from the mental-health practitioner.

EDUCATIONAL AND SKILLS DEVELOPMENT BENEFIT PARTNERS

We have a number of partners that offer discounts on various academic and educational courses. MyPlayers partners with academic institutions offering both online and in-person courses (part-time or full-time), professionals, and coaches who can develop your entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and other transferable skills, equipping you for transition and life outside of rugby.

 To view these discounts and benefit partners, go to the MyPlayers App (MyBenefits)

8. MyNumbers

 Medical aid and gap cover

 Savings for retirement (The Players’ Pension Fund)

 Injury benefits that include salary security and catastrophic injury benefits

 Life cover (“Death benefit”)

 Short-term insurance solutions

 General financial literacy and wellness as professional rugby player: 1. Specialist tax and financial advisory panel 2. Financial education

3. PlaySmart financial analysis / awareness planning tool

OUR PARTNERS

NEED ANY ASSISTANCE? Contact Simeka Health Call Centre on 086 111 1167 OR David de Villiers, MyPlayers Financial Services, on 082 460 2803 or david@my-players.com.

OUR ADVISOR

They can advise you on the different schemes suitable for you as a professional rugby player AND to cover your individual needs.

KEY POINTS ABOUT MEDICAL AID AND GAP

COVER YOU NEED TO KNOW

 Medical aid and gap cover to train/play professional rugby in South Africa is compulsory.

 You must UNDERSTAND your medical aid benefits before you train/play.

 Ensure that your premium is deducted monthly from your salary and indicated on your pay slip (at the PAY POINT) from your employer/union.

 When retiring from / ending professional rugby in SA, contact us to assist you with the transfer of your medical scheme and GAP cover to private capacity.

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

BENEFITS OF CONTRIBUTING

 Effective and cost-effective way to prepare for your retirement

 The younger you start contributing, the better the results!

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

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

MUST DOs: Get your latest benefit statement on the MyPlayers App today (under MyNumbers) and ensure you have nominated your beneficiaries for your retirement money!

INJURY

BENEFITS

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 a new injury, illness or accident. During this time that you are out of action, MyPlayers ensures that you still get paid your normal monthly salary.

 The injury benefit provides salary continuation for 18-24 months while injured, from the date of the incident.

 Maximum cover of up to R5 million per annum on your salary available. Top-up cover for this is available on a voluntary basis.

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

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

COMPULSORY 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

EXTRA VOLUNTARY COVER

 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.

 Annually (during February) OR after a life-changing event, you can apply for this cover to be activated through MyPlayers.

 No underwriting required* for a cover of R2 million or less.

*Terms and conditions apply.

SHORT-TERM INSURANCE

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 obtain quotes and compare products and premiums for cover.

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

 You have access to a 24/7 claims and emergency helpline

GENERAL FINANCIAL LITERACY AND SPECIALIST ASSISTANCE

 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 with a unique financial planning tool through the MyPlayers App, 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)

9. 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.

EDUCATIONAL

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

ADDRESS

Table

Tygerberg

Plattekloof Cape Town

WORKING HOURS

Monday

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