The prizemoney for the ICC Champions Trophy was confirmed on Friday, with the winners of the tournament set to pocket over R40 million.
The ultimate victors of the eight-team tournament in Pakistan and the UAE will earn $2.24m which works out to R41.4m. That amount would potentially have an incredible boost for cricket in South Africa, if the Proteas were to win it.
Of course, that’s a big if. Making it out of their Group B alongside Afghanistan, England and Australia would be something of an achievement for the Proteas team at the moment.
Meanwhile, losing in the final will see the runners-up bank $1.12m (R20.7m) which is just short of exactly half of the winners’ cheque.
Guaranteed payout
Perhaps more relevant to the Proteas is that each group stage win at the Champions Trophy will guarantee a sum of $34,000 (R628,549).
The teams that finish fifth and sixth will win $350,000 (R6.4m), while the seventh and eighth-placed teams will earn $140,000 (R2.5m) for their efforts.
Every team taking part in the Champions Trophy will also be paid $125,000 (R2.3m) for their participation.
South Africa will be first in action against Afghanistan on February 21 in Karachi.
Four days later, the Proteas will take on their old foes Australia in Rawalpindi.
Completing their group stage fixtures will be a clash against England on March 1 back in Karachi.
All SA’s group stage matches will begin at 11am.
The Proteas will be captained by Temba Bavuma, with fast bowling allrounder Corbin Bosch replacing the injured tearaway quick Anrich Nortje.
The 18-year-old fast bowler Kwena Maphaka has also been included as a travelling reserve.