4. Faf de Klerk – £900,000
Club: Yokohama Canon Eagles (Japan)
Country: South Africa
The ultimate livewire scrum-half. Faf brings chaos, intensity, and unmatched competitiveness to every ruck and breakdown. His box kicking, defensive edge, and leadership helped redefine the modern No. 9. A fan favourite wherever he plays, his move to Japan reflects both his marketability and enduring quality.
3. Cheslin Kolbe – £930,000
Club: Tokyo Sungoliath (Japan)
Country: South Africa
Electric. Elusive. Deadly in space. Kolbe’s footwork and acceleration make him one of the most feared backs in world rugby. A World Cup winner with Springbok DNA, he turns half-chances into highlights and commands one of Japan’s biggest contracts as a result.
2. Antoine Dupont – £1 million
Club: Toulouse
Country: France
The gold standard for modern rugby players. Dupont combines brute strength, elite speed, tactical intelligence, and outrageous skill. Whether at scrum-half or on the sevens circuit, he dominates games like few before him. Widely regarded as the best player on the planet — and paid accordingly.
1. Finn Russell – £1.2 million
Club: Bath Rugby (England)
Country: Scotland
Rugby’s ultimate maverick. Russell plays flat, fast, and fearless — capable of unlocking any defence with a pass nobody else sees. His move to Bath made him the world’s highest-paid player, and when he’s on song, few fly-halves can control a game like him. Pure box-office rugby.
EDITORS PICKS:
- “Etzebeth, Botha” – 15 Dirtiest rugby players of all-time ranked
- Henry Pollock’s sends message to Steve Borthwick after England hat-trick
- Biggest Rugby Nations in the World – (Ranked 10-1)
- World Rankings Update: Scotland and Wales drop down
- “It’s a clear red card” – Fans back Hollie Davidson after Fiji red card
