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Samir Nurkovic’s R930,000 monthly salary at SuperSport United sent shockwaves through South African football. The Betway Premiership, South Africa’s Premier Soccer League (PSL), stands as one of Africa’s wealthiest leagues, where top players earn salaries rivaling the continent’s best. From Mamelodi Sundowns’ Ronwen Williams to Orlando Pirates’ Deon Hotto, these stars command hefty paychecks that reflect their skill and marketability.
This article ranks the top 25 highest paid players in PSL for 2025, diving into their earnings, roles, and impact. Packed with actionable insights, it’s a must-read for clubs, sponsors, and fans eager to understand the financial pulse of South African soccer.
Highest Paid Players in PSL: The Top 25 Earners
The PSL’s financial muscle, fueled by Betway’s R900 million sponsorship and SuperSport’s R1 billion broadcast deal, powers massive salaries. The top 25 players, drawn from clubs like Sundowns, Chiefs, and Pirates, showcase the league’s ambition. Below is the definitive list, updated for 2025, accounting for changes like Itumeleng Khune’s free-agent status and Thembinkosi Lorch’s increased earnings at Sundowns.
1. Samir Nurkovic – R930,000 (SuperSport United)
Serbian striker Samir Nurkovic tops the list, earning R930,000 monthly. After scoring 15 goals in 22 matches for TS Galaxy in 2023, he joined SuperSport United in 2025 as a free agent. His physicality and finishing make him a title contender. SuperSport’s investment, among the highest paid players in PSL, aims to challenge Sundowns’ dominance. Nurkovic’s goals drive ticket sales, but he must maintain form to justify the wage.
2. Deon Hotto – R500,000 (Orlando Pirates)
Namibian midfielder Deon Hotto earns R500,000 monthly at Orlando Pirates. His versatility—two goals and five assists in 21 matches during 2022/23—fuels Pirates’ attack. Despite a 1-0 loss to Sekhukhune United on April 30, 2025, Hotto remains a fan favorite. His salary, among the highest paid players in PSL, reflects his wing play and marketability. Pirates’ R800 million valuation supports this cost, but Hotto needs trophies to silence critics.
3. Ronwen Williams – R480,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Sundowns’ goalkeeper and Bafana Bafana captain Ronwen Williams earns R480,000 monthly. His 20 clean sheets in 2023/24 and leadership in Sundowns’ seven consecutive PSL titles justify his paycheck. Leading the 2024/25 table with 58 points, Williams is indispensable. His salary places him among the highest paid players in PSL, backed by Sundowns’ R1.2 billion net worth. His shot-stopping and distribution skills are unmatched.
4. Keagan Dolly – R450,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Kaizer Chiefs’ attacking midfielder Keagan Dolly earns R450,000 monthly. His 12 goals and 18 assists since 2021 highlight his flair, but injuries have sparked debate. With Chiefs’ trophyless run since 2015, Dolly’s salary draws scrutiny on X. His marketability—jerseys sell out—keeps him valuable. As Chiefs’ top earner post-Khune, he must stay fit to prove his worth among the PSL’s elite.
5. Thembinkosi Lorch – R400,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Thembinkosi Lorch, now at Mamelodi Sundowns, earns R400,000 monthly, up from R165,000 at Orlando Pirates. His 2019 South African Player of the Season award and five goals in 2023/24 showcase his attacking midfield prowess. Lorch’s move to Sundowns in 2024 boosted his earnings, reflecting his value. Fans expect goals alongside Williams and Morena, placing him among the PSL’s top earners.
6. Thapelo Morena – R400,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielder Thapelo Morena earns R400,000 monthly at Sundowns. Joining from Celtic in 2016, his versatility in defense and midfield shines. Morena’s speed and adaptability helped Sundowns dominate, with a 3-0 win over Richards Bay on April 30, 2025. His salary reflects his consistency and Sundowns’ deep pockets. Morena’s role in their CAF Champions League campaigns adds to his value.
7. Brian Onyango – R380,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Kenyan center-back Brian Onyango earns R380,000 monthly. Since joining Sundowns in 2012, his defensive solidity has been key to their 17 titles. Onyango’s charisma and aerial ability make him a fan favorite. His salary, high for a defender, aligns with Sundowns’ R15 million star budget. Onyango’s role in clean sheets alongside Williams cements his spot among the elite.
8. Zitha Kwinika – R370,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defender Zitha Kwinika, also known as Zitha Macheke, earns R370,000 monthly at Chiefs. Returning in 2022 after stints at Chippa United and Stellenbosch, his ball-playing skills and goal-saving tackles stand out. Kwinika’s salary reflects Chiefs’ faith in his leadership. With no titles since 2015, he faces pressure to deliver, but his consistency keeps him among the top earners.
9. Erwin Saavedra – R350,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Bolivian midfielder Erwin Saavedra earns R350,000 monthly. His right-midfield play, with occasional right-back duties, adds versatility to Sundowns’ squad. Saavedra’s international experience, including the 2015 South American Youth Championship, boosts his value. His salary reflects Sundowns’ global recruitment strategy. Saavedra’s creativity in midfield supports their 2024/25 title charge.
10. Sipho Mbule – R350,000 (Sekhukhune United, on loan from Sundowns)
Central midfielder Sipho Mbule earns R350,000 monthly, contracted to Sundowns but on loan at Sekhukhune United until June 2025. His youth career at Harmony Sports Academy and senior debut for SuperSport United in 2017 highlight his talent. Mbule’s playmaking, with three assists in 2024/25, justifies his wage. His loan move aims to secure regular play, maintaining his high earning status.
11. Kermit Erasmus – R350,000 (Free Agent, formerly Orlando Pirates)
Forward Kermit Erasmus, nicknamed “The Frog” for his small stature, earned R350,000 monthly at Orlando Pirates until July 2024. Now a free agent, he’s been linked to Cape Town City and Sekhukhune United. Erasmus’ 14 goals in 2022/23 showed his class, but his next move will determine if he retains this salary level. His marketability keeps him relevant.
12. Mosa Lebusa – R300,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Defender Mosa Lebusa earns R300,000 monthly. Joining Sundowns in 2018 from Ajax Cape Town, he plays center-back or left-back with ease. His six Bafana Bafana caps and role in Sundowns’ titles justify his wage. Lebusa’s defensive stability, with 15 clean sheets in 2023/24, supports Sundowns’ dominance. His salary reflects his reliability.
13. Ashley Du Preez – R300,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Forward Ashley Du Preez earns R300,000 monthly at Chiefs. His game insight and ball-striking ability create scoring chances, with eight goals in 2023/24. Du Preez’s technical skills shine, but Chiefs’ title drought adds pressure. His salary, high for a young forward, reflects his potential to lead Chiefs’ attack alongside Dolly.
14. Gaston Sirino – R300,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Uruguayan midfielder Gaston Sirino earns R300,000 monthly, joining Chiefs on a free transfer in August 2024 after six years at Sundowns. His creative play, with 10 assists in 2023/24, boosts Chiefs’ midfield. Sirino’s salary matches his experience, but fans demand results to end Chiefs’ barren run. His marketability adds value off the pitch.
15. Yusuf Maart – R300,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Midfielder Yusuf Maart earns R300,000 monthly at Chiefs. Joining in 2022 from Sekhukhune United, his decision-making and passing skills shine. Maart’s three goals in 2024/25 show his growing influence. His salary reflects Chiefs’ investment in local talent, but the lack of silverware fuels fan frustration on X.
16. Abubeker Nassir – R290,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Ethiopian forward Abubeker Nassir earns R290,000 monthly. His pace and finishing, honed at Ethiopian Coffee SC, attracted Sundowns in 2021. Nassir’s four goals in 2024/25 add depth to Sundowns’ attack. His salary, high for a foreign player, reflects his potential to star in the CAF Champions League.
17. Themba Zwane – R250,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Attacking midfielder Themba Zwane, nicknamed Mshishi, earns R250,000 monthly. At 35, his vision and dribbling remain elite, with six assists in 2024/25. Zwane’s role in Sundowns’ seven titles and Bafana Bafana caps justify his wage. His salary, modest for his impact, shows Sundowns’ balanced spending.
18. Mothobi Mvala – R250,000 (Mamelodi Sundowns)
Midfielder Mothobi Mvala earns R250,000 monthly. His defensive midfield role and Bafana Bafana appearances, including the 2016 Rio Olympics, highlight his value. Mvala’s three tackles per game in 2024/25 bolster Sundowns’ midfield. His salary reflects his reliability in high-stakes matches.
19. Eric Mathoho – R220,000 (Free Agent, formerly Kaizer Chiefs)
Central defender Eric Mathoho earned R220,000 monthly at Chiefs until 2023. Now a free agent, his decade-long stint with Chiefs and Bloemfontein Celtic built a strong defensive reputation. Mathoho’s next move will determine his earnings, but his past salary places him among the PSL’s elite.
20. Evidence Makgopa – R200,000 (Orlando Pirates)
Forward Evidence Makgopa earns R200,000 monthly. His 188 cm frame and finishing, with five goals in 2024/25, make him a Pirates standout. Makgopa’s Bafana Bafana and 2020 Olympics experience add value. His salary, modest for a starter, reflects Pirates’ focus on young talent.
21. Fortune Makaringe – R185,000 (Cape Town City)
Midfielder Fortune Makaringe earns R185,000 monthly at Cape Town City, joining in July 2024 on a three-year deal from Pirates. His work rate and passing, with two assists in 2024/25, suit City’s style. Makaringe’s salary reflects his experience, but he must elevate City’s mid-table position.
22. Maliele Vincent Pule – R170,000 (SuperSport United)
Forward Maliele Vincent Pule earns R170,000 monthly, moving to SuperSport United in July 2024 after 146 appearances for Pirates. His 24 goals and 14 assists at Pirates showcase his free-kick skills. Pule’s salary aligns with his new role, aiming to boost SuperSport’s attack.
23. Reeve Frosler – R150,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Defender Reeve Frosler earns R150,000 monthly. His clean tackling and transition from winger to full-back, honed at Bidvest Wits, shine. Joining Chiefs in 2019, Frosler’s three assists in 2024/25 add value. His salary, modest for a starter, reflects Chiefs’ budget constraints.
24. Ranga Chivaviro – R150,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Forward Ranga Chivaviro earns R150,000 monthly. His powerful shooting, with four goals in 2024/25, boosts Chiefs’ attack. Chivaviro’s South African-Zimbabwean heritage adds fan appeal. His salary, low for a forward, shows Chiefs’ reliance on cost-effective signings.
25. Edmilson Dove – R105,000 (Kaizer Chiefs)
Mozambican defender Edmilson Dove earns R105,000 monthly. His ability to play defender or midfielder adds versatility. Dove’s three tackles per game in 2024/25 and Bafana Bafana caps justify his wage. His low salary reflects Chiefs’ focus on affordable foreign talent.
Why PSL Salaries Are Soaring
The PSL’s financial engine is roaring. Betway’s R900 million deal through 2025 and SuperSport’s R1 billion broadcast rights fund club budgets of R30–40 million annually. Sundowns, valued at R1.2 billion, lead, followed by Pirates (R800 million) and Chiefs (R700 million). These resources enable salaries like Nurkovic’s R930,000, but the gap between top earners and academy players (R7,500–R15,000) raises sustainability concerns.
Compared to African peers, the PSL competes well. Egypt’s Al Ahly pays Percy Tau $1.5 million yearly, but Nurkovic’s R11 million annual salary is close. Morocco’s Botola Pro and Nigeria’s NPFL offer similar wages, but the PSL’s five-foreign-player cap prioritizes locals like Williams. Globally, the gap is stark—Erling Haaland’s £525,000 weekly Premier League salary dwarfs PSL earnings—but the league’s growth is undeniable.
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PSL Salaries vs. Global Leagues
The PSL lags behind Europe’s giants. Manchester City’s Haaland earns 70 times Nurkovic’s monthly wage. The Saudi Pro League’s Cristiano Ronaldo ($213 million yearly) is untouchable. Zambia’s top earners (E100,000 monthly) trail the PSL, while Eswatini’s best make E20,000. The PSL’s ascent, from a R100 million sponsorship pool in 2015 to R900 million in 2025, mirrors European growth. Sundowns’ 17 titles and R1.2 billion valuation rival Bayern Munich’s dominance.
Smaller PSL clubs like Richards Bay (R380,000 for Onyango) show prudent spending, but the gap with Sundowns highlights inequality. The league’s R1.6 billion SuperSport deal (2007–2012) and Betway’s 2024 entry signal a bright future, with budgets potentially hitting R50 million by 2027.
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Conclusion: The Power of PSL’s Elite
The highest paid players in PSL 2025, from Samir Nurkovic’s R930,000 to Edmilson Dove’s R105,000, embody South African soccer’s ambition. These salaries fuel rivalries, attract sponsors, and ignite fan passion. Clubs must balance star signings with youth development, while sponsors can tap into players’ fame. Fans, armed with salary insights, can deepen their connection to the game. As the PSL grows, expect bolder contracts and bigger dreams. Watch the 2025 season on SuperSport, cheer the stars, and celebrate the Betway Premiership’s rise!
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