Springbok winger Cheslin Kolbe and All Blacks loose forward Ardie Savea are new additions to a list of the world’s best-paid XV.

According to a Ruck.co.uk compilation of the world’s best-earning XV, the list – which was initially compiled in April – has been updated with Kolbe and Savea replacing Stuart Hogg and Kieran Read respectively.

Pollard tops the list with a paycheck of around R20-million per annum from French club Montpellier, a total only equalled by that of All Blacks wing Charles Piutau, who plays for the Bristol Bears in England.

Etzebeth is the next-best earner, with an estimated R18m income at mega French side Toulon, followed by international and club teammate Kolbe, who boasts a R17.4m income.

Meanwhile, England lock Maro Itoje completes the top five with a payday figure of around R16.5m.

Of those on the list, Suntory Sungoliath’s Beauden Barrett and Racing 92’s Virimi Vakatawa come in as the joint sixth-highest earners with R15.6m each, while Savea’s salary is believed to be around the R10m mark.

Kolbe replaces Hogg (R11m) on the left wing and Savea takes over from Read (retired) at No 8.

Highest paid XV

15 – Beauden Barrett (R15.6m, Suntory Sungoliath)
14 – Charles Piutau (R20m, Bristol Bears)
13 – Virimi Vakatawa (R15.6m, Racing 92)
12 – Owen Farrell (R15m, Saracens)
11 – Cheslin Kolbe (R17.4m, Toulon)
10 – Handre Pollard (R20m, Montpellier)
9 – Faf de Klerk (R12m, Sale Sharks)
8 – Ardie Savea (R10m, Hurricanes)
7 –  Steven Luatua (R13m, Bristol Bears)
6 – Michael Hooper (R15m, Toyota Verblitz)
5 – Maro Itoje (R16.5m, Saracens)
4 – Eben Etzebeth (R18m, Toulon)
3 – Tadhg Furlong (R9.6m, Leinster)
2 – Guilhem Guirado (R10m, Montpellier)
1 – Mako Vunipola (R9m, Saracens)

Photo: Steve Haag Sports/Hollywoodbets