Organisational Booklet
South African Rugby Players’ Organisation
About MyPlayersThe South African Rugby Players’ Organisation
MyPlayers, founded in 1998, is the players’ organisation of all the professional rugby players in South Africa. Our main drive is to promote and 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 who 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.
We firmly believe that rugby is more than just a game and we make it our mission to provide player-driven solutions to improve the lives of our members.
906 Our current membership
26 YEARS
The establishment of a players’ organisation was in 1998 - 26 years ago - providing professional representation and assistance with employment matters and negotiations during this transition period.
MyPlayers in Numbers
R345m
The professional rugby players have their own retirement savings mechanism, the Players’ Pension Fund. This is the current amount in the Fund.
R80m
Total approximate contribution to the Players’ Pension Fund in 2022/23
50 000+
50 000 MyPlayers social media followers across the platforms Facebook, X, Instagram and LinkedIn
20
MyPlayers is proud to collaborate with 20 benefit partners who offer exclusive deals and discounts to our members.
800
Approximate number of players covered by the injury benefit
R464k
MyPlayers contributed this amount to the Chris Burger Petro Jackson Fund in 2023.
In 2024, the Rugby Players’ Organisation continued its proud tradition of supporting the educational pursuits of its members by 24 bursaries totaling R582 000.
R17m
Injury benefit - total amount paid through injury insurance for players injured longer than the waiting period in 2022/23
R71,5m
The total Commercial Payments out in March 2024. This increased by 27% from the previous year.
Safeguarding and advocating for the rights of players
MyPlayers serves as the official players’ organisation for all professional rugby players in South Africa. Within the organisation, the commercial division holds primary responsibility for overseeing and managing the collective rights and interests of players, both on and off the field. This entails ensuring that players receive appropriate remuneration for the use of their commercial rights.
In addition to safeguarding and managing the collective intellectual property rights of professional rugby players, MyPlayers offers assistance with career guidance and personal development initiatives, aimed at preparing players for life beyond rugby.
The organisation further provides support and counsel to players on all industrial matters, oversees core financial services, and represents players on key bodies such as the SARU Executive Committee and IRP Board.
Ultimately, MyPlayers acts as a proactive stakeholder within the South African rugby landscape, contributing to the growth and fortification of the sport.
Eben Etzebeth, SA Rugby Men’s Player of the Year 2023 and MyPlayers Players’ Player of the Year 2023
Two decades of commitment to rugby players and industry development
For over two decades, MyPlayers has been dedicated to serving rugby players, providing invaluable services and making significant contributions to the collective development of the industry.
As an organisation, we take pride in our role as primary negotiators and guardians of collective benefits, both in terms of industrial and commercial arrangements. Through our Industrial Board, we meticulously ensure that all minimum employment terms are formally documented within various collective agreements. It is our steadfast commitment to guaranteeing that all collective benefits are upheld and that every professional rugby player is treated equitably and with the utmost fairness.
Advancing Women’s Rugby: Our commitment to empowerment and support
As the women’s game experiences unprecedented growth and both SARU and the provinces express keen interest in professionalising the sport, MyPlayers is actively assessing its capabilities to provide value-added services to all professional female rugby players.
With existing members among all nationally contracted women – including Springbok 15s and 7s players – recognised by SARU, we have extended
our offerings to include all players approached by provinces for contracts. These milestones mark historic moments in the women’s game, and MyPlayers enthusiastically embraces the growth and unique challenges presented by this evolution.
We are committed to empowering and supporting women in rugby, ensuring they receive the necessary resources and advocacy to thrive in their careers and contribute to the continued success of the sport.
There has been notable progress in the women’s game, indicating a promising trajectory and fostering a sense of value within our community. We extend our sincere appreciation to MyPlayers for their role in facilitating these advancements.
Cindy Booi
I am so pleased with the current trajectory of South African women’s rugby, characterised by significant advancements in both the development of the sport and the personal growth of the players. The extensive recognition and support received across South Africa has been truly commendable, marking a significant milestone with the inaugural commercial payments to women’s teams by MyPlayers. As we continue along this promising path, I remain deeply invested in the journey of South African women’s rugby.
Zintle Mpupha
While I am caught up with my rugby and study commitments, MyPlayers helps in a big way as they provide us with quality services. From career advice to airport parking and discounts on flights. It’s great to know we are looked after.
Werner Kok
Hollywoodbets Sharks
Perfection is not attainable, but with MyPlayers we can chase perfection to catch excellence.
- Professional referee, AJ Jacobs
INDUSTRIAL AFFAIRS
Inclusion of professionally contracted matchofficials
We are pleased to announce a significant expansion of the Rugby Players Organisation’s representation with the inclusion of all professionally contracted match officials, effective as of 30 August 2023.
This development underscores our commitment to fostering inclusivity and comprehensive representation within our organisation. As we embrace this latest member inclusion, we recognise it as a unique opportunity to leverage our collective experience and expertise in guiding and enhancing the collective potential of our entire membership base. Furthermore, this initiative opens up additional avenues for engagement within the rugby industry, further solidifying our relevance as a key stakeholder.
We are confident that this expansion will strengthen our position and enable us to better serve the needs and interests of our members while advancing our shared goals within the broader rugby community.
MyPlayers provides the safety net and support network we need so we can put our full focus into our reffing. The organisation has enriched our roles in sport with comprehensive coverage of pension funds, medical aid and ‘life after rugby’ options. - Professional referee, Aimee Barrett-Theron
Rugby is what we do – it’s not who we are. MyPlayers creates a platform to connect us with people, insurances and financial assistance that will ensure we have something to fall back on after rugby. Rugby is a short-term career which can end anytime. It’s not how we start the race, but it’s how we finish it.
Hacjivah Dayimani
DHL Stormers
Cultivating relationships: MyPlayers’ devotion to player affairs
Player affairs remain steadfast in its mission to cultivate and uphold robust, proficient relationships between our organisation and the players we serve. In our ongoing efforts, we ensure that all professional rugby players receive the highest standard of service and are provided with increasingly exciting benefits in the year 2024. As the initial point of contact for any player-related inquiry, our dedicated team handles a diverse range of matters, including inquiries from player agents, employmentrelated issues, disciplinary hearings, and the provision of exclusive benefits reserved for MyPlayers members.
Comprehensive financial guidance and products
The Financial Services Division provides professional rugby players in South Africa with independent advice on core group financial products. This function encompasses product development, reviews, day-to-day administration, and overall management.
MyPlayers Financial Services has been operational since 2014 and has exhibited significant growth and expansion in the range of services provided to players. Noteworthy initiatives
undertaken in 2023 include the introduction of the PlaySmart financial wellness tool tailored for professional athletes and the inclusion of a new car and home insurance provider, Ctrl Additionally, professional rugby players benefit from their dedicated retirement savings mechanism, The Players’ Pension Fund, to which they contribute monthly. This fund offers advantages such as additional tax deductions on contributions, performance reviews and a reduced investment cost structure.
I love how MyPlayers is always willing to assist in any off the field matters we as players might have. They are an organisation which we as players can trust and rely on.
Wandisile Simelane
DHL Stormers
Enhanced injury protection for professional rugby players
MyPlayers extends an extensive injury benefit to all professional rugby players, aimed at safeguarding their income during periods of incapacitation from playing due to injury, illness, or accidents. It is a prerequisite for all professional rugby players in South Africa to be enrolled in a medical scheme and have gap cover before engaging in training and competitions sanctioned by their respective employers.
MyPlayers has cultivated robust partnerships with multiple service providers, facilitating negotiations for waivers of underwriting requirements and complimentary concessions for players.
INJURY BENEFIT
assistance MyPlayers has provided me through a bursary. The qualifications obtained through the bursary have assisted me to diversify my skills since entering retirement and life after rugby.
Craig Barry Cheetahs (BA Community Development)
Beyond the game: Fostering well-rounded rugby players through holistic development
The Player Development division is responsible for designing and implementing the player development programme in line with international best practices that will support and benefit players for life during and after professional rugby. This division and its programme are designed to focus on the holistic development of each player, assisting them in becoming the best possible version of themselves, on and off the rugby field.
In the world of professional sports, the focus has traditionally been on developing athletes’ physical skills and performance capabilities to excel in their respective sports. However, there is a growing recognition of the importance of supporting and developing athletes holistically, addressing not only their physical prowess but also their mental, emotional, and professional development. This holistic approach is crucial for preparing athletes for life beyond their sports careers, ensuring they have the skills, resilience, and adaptability to transition successfully into traditional careers once their time on the field comes to an end.
By prioritising holistic development, sports organisations not only invest in the long-term well-being and success of their athletes but also cultivate individuals who can thrive in diverse professional environments beyond the confines of the sporting arena.
CAREER DEVELOPMENT
Empowering players for life on and off the field
MyPlayers offers career guidance to all players interested in exploring possible career paths. Psychometric assessments are used to ascertain personality, preferences, motivational workplace factors, and career interest fields. The results of these assessments are integrated into a report and recommendations are made to the players during oneon-one feedback sessions.
We also support the players to ensure they are “workplace ready” by assisting them to draft CVs, sharing interview tips, and offering them internship/jobshadowing opportunities. Life lessons are facilitated to ensure players are comfortable, safe and equipped to approach life and thrive outside of rugby.
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 and collaborates with a number of partners that offer players discounts on various academic and educational courses. We also partner with academic institutions offering both online and in-person courses (part-time or full-time), professionals, and coaches who can develop players’ entrepreneurial skills, business acumen, and other transferable skills, equipping players for transition and life outside of rugby.
BSc Informatics, Unisa
Jade Stighling
George Whitehead
Human Movement Science, University of the Orange Free State
The MyPlayers bursary created the opportunity for me to broaden my skill set and to earn a degree - creating a foundation for life after rugby. It took the financial pressure off my family.
Ben-Jason Dixon Stormers (Industrial Engineering)
Establishment of Players’ Charity
In 2013, the professional rugby players recognised the necessity of founding a registered charitable organisation. The Players’ Charity allocates funds annually to support charitable causes. MyPlayers oversees the management of the Players’ Charity, ensuring that donations align with the players’ objectives and comply with the Public Benefit Organisation Act. Additionally, the Chris Petro Jackson Players’ Fund operates as a non-profit entity. In 2023, players made a significant contribution of R464 000 to this fund.
South African Rugby Players’ Organisation