In this article, we explore Damian Willemse’s earnings from playing rugby for the Stormers and the Springboks.
The specifics of Willemse’s salary from the Stormers and Western Province union remain confidential. However, financial analysts have estimated his total seasonal earnings.
Willemse’s continued presence in Cape Town until at least 2027 is believed to be due to a combination of payments from the union, SA Rugby’s Players of National Interest (Poni) contribution, and a third-party sponsor. These payments together reportedly total at least R10 million per season.
In 2022, Ardagh packaging announced Willemse as their brand ambassador. Ardagh Africa’s partnership with Willemse includes his involvement in their social sustainability programs, underscoring the company’s commitment to South Africa and local communities.
Regarding the Stormers’ expenditure on Willemse, coach John Dobson prefers to keep player salaries private. He also dismissed claims about the financially recovering union spending exorbitant amounts on any single player. Dobson asserts that Willemse, despite earning considerably less than R5 million per year from Western Province, is rightfully among the top earners in South African rugby due to contributions from the Poni and his value to the team.
Dobson emphasizes the need to maintain confidentiality regarding players’ earnings, insisting that Willemse, given his importance to the team, merits his pay.
