Sipho Chaine went from being labeled “not Pirates material” to becoming the best goalkeeper in the Betway Premiership — and that journey has paid off financially.
The Orlando Pirates and Bafana Bafana shot-stopper has built a career worth tracking both on and off the pitch.
In this article, you will find everything verified about Sipho Chaine’s net worth, salary, contract, career earnings, and the key milestones that shaped his financial rise.
Sipho Chaine’s Biography
| Field | Details |
|---|---|
| Full Name | Sipho Justin Chaine |
| Date of Birth | 14 December 1996 |
| Age | 29 years old |
| Nationality | South African |
| Place of Birth | Bloemfontein, Free State, South Africa |
| Height | 181 cm (5 ft 11 in) |
| Weight | 79 kg (174 lbs) |
| Position | Goalkeeper |
| Shirt Number | 24 |
| Current Club | Orlando Pirates |
| Turned Professional | 2016 |
| Market Value | €1.40 million (per Transfermarkt) |
| Estimated Net Worth | ~$300,000 (approx. R5.5 million) |
| Relationship Status | N/A |
| @s_chaine31 |
Early Life & Career
Sipho Justin Chaine was born on 14 December 1996 in Bloemfontein, the capital of South Africa’s Free State province.
Growing up in a city with a proud football culture, Chaine developed his goalkeeping craft from a young age and joined the Bloemfontein Celtic reserves academy in 2013, spending three years honing his skills in the Diski Challenge Shield youth competition.
Celtic’s academy gave Chaine the structure and technical grounding he needed, and by 2016 the club had enough confidence in him to register him with the senior squad.
His path to the first team, however, was slow. Goalkeepers in South African football typically wait years before earning a regular starting spot, and Chaine was no different.
He spent the better part of three seasons as a back-up, learning the professional game from the bench before earning his breakthrough.
His first-team debut at the top flight came in May 2019 during a 3-1 win against AmaZulu FC, a result that gave Bloemfontein Celtic an encouraging end to a tough season.
That single appearance was enough to show the coaching staff he was ready for more responsibility.
In the 2020/21 campaign, Chaine made 15 appearances across all competitions for Celtic, finally getting the consistent minutes his development needed.
Professional Career
When Limpopo-based businesswoman Shauwn Mkhize purchased Bloemfontein Celtic’s Premier Soccer League status and rebranded the club as Royal AM ahead of the 2021/22 season, Chaine stayed on.
However, he found himself frozen out of the first-team picture under the new setup and barely featured throughout the campaign.
Determined to get game time, Chaine joined Chippa United in the summer of 2022. He made two appearances for the Chilli Boys before seizing on one of South African football’s most surprising transfers.
On the final day of the September 2022 transfer window, Orlando Pirates — one of the country’s biggest clubs — signed him to strengthen their goalkeeping department. Few predicted what would follow.
Initially third choice at the Soweto giants, Chaine worked his way into the starting line-up after the 2022 FIFA World Cup break and never looked back.
He has since established himself as the undisputed number one at Orlando Stadium, as confirmed on the official Orlando Pirates website.
His trophy cabinet at Pirates includes the 2022/23 Nedbank Cup and the 2023/24 Nedbank Cup, where he produced a match-winning penalty save against Mamelodi Sundowns’ Lucas Ribeiro in a 2-1 Pirates win.
He also helped Pirates win the 2023/24 MTN8, earning the MTN8 Last Man Standing award after saving three penalties in the shootout against Sundowns.
In the 2023/24 CAF Champions League, he was the only ever-present goalkeeper across all 14 matches in the competition as Pirates reached the semi-finals.
On the international stage, Chaine made his Bafana Bafana debut on 10 September 2024 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.
He capped the 2024/25 season by winning the PSL Goalkeeper of the Season award — the highest individual honour for a goalkeeper in South African football — as recognised by the Official PSL awards ceremony.
Sipho Chaine’s Net Worth Details
As of 2026, Sipho Chaine’s has an estimated net worth of approximately $300,000 (around R5.5 million).
He built this wealth through consistent professional football contracts spanning Bloemfontein Celtic, Royal AM, Chippa United, and most significantly Orlando Pirates, where his bumped-up earnings as the club’s undisputed first-choice goalkeeper represent his highest income period to date.
Contract
Chaine originally signed a three-year deal with Orlando Pirates in September 2022, a contract that was due to expire in June 2025.
According to a report by Soccer Laduma, Pirates moved quickly to retain him well before the end of his deal, offering a new three-year extension that would keep him at the club until approximately June 2028.
Club sources described Chaine as a “backbone” of the team — a clear indicator of the value the Buccaneers place on him.
Kick Off magazine further reported that Pirates rewarded his outstanding 2024/25 campaign by bumping up his earnings within his existing contract structure, a rare mid-term financial recognition that underlines how far he has risen within the club’s hierarchy.
Salary
Exact salary figures for PSL players are rarely made public, and Chaine’s current deal at Orlando Pirates is no exception.
According to Briefly.co.za, Chaine reportedly earned approximately R95,000 per month during his time at Royal AM.
As a first-choice goalkeeper at one of South Africa’s largest clubs — and now a national team regular — his current earnings at Pirates are widely understood to be significantly higher.
Estimates from South African football media suggest top goalkeepers at Pirates-level clubs earn between R150,000 and R200,000 per month, and given the reported mid-contract pay rise, Chaine’s current package likely falls in that range.
Career Earnings By Year
| Period | Club | Estimated Monthly Earnings | Approx. Annual Earnings |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2016 – 2019 | Bloemfontein Celtic (backup) | R20,000 – R30,000 | R240,000 – R360,000 |
| 2019 – 2021 | Bloemfontein Celtic (starter) | R35,000 – R50,000 | R420,000 – R600,000 |
| 2021 – 2022 | Royal AM | ~R95,000 | ~R1,140,000 |
| 2022 | Chippa United | ~R60,000 | ~R120,000 (2 months) |
| 2022 – 2023 | Orlando Pirates | ~R100,000 | ~R1,200,000 |
| 2023 – 2024 | Orlando Pirates | ~R130,000 | ~R1,560,000 |
| 2024 – 2025 | Orlando Pirates | ~R160,000 | ~R1,920,000 |
| 2025 – 2026 | Orlando Pirates | ~R180,000 | ~R2,160,000 |
Endorsements
Like many PSL players, he benefits from Orlando Pirates’ kit deal with Adidas and the club’s broader commercial partnerships, which include gear and match-day bonuses.
His rising profile as PSL Goalkeeper of the Season and Bafana Bafana international could attract personal sponsorships in the near future, particularly from South African sportswear and lifestyle brands targeting football audiences.
His verified Instagram account (@s_chaine31) has grown alongside his on-field reputation, which adds value for any potential brand partnerships.
Career Statistics
| Season | Club | Competition | Apps | Clean Sheets | Goals Conceded |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 2019/20 | Bloemfontein Celtic | PSL | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2020/21 | Bloemfontein Celtic | All comps | 12 | 1 | – |
| 2021/22 | Royal AM | PSL | 1 | 0 | – |
| 2022/23 | Chippa United | PSL | 2 | 1 | – |
| 2022/23 | Orlando Pirates | PSL | 16 | 5 | – |
| 2023/24 | Orlando Pirates | PSL | 18 | 5 | – |
| 2023/24 | Orlando Pirates | CAF Champions League | 14 | 9 | – |
| 2024/25 | Orlando Pirates | All comps | 31 | 14 | 22 |
| 2025/26 | Orlando Pirates | PSL (current) | 25 | 17 | 10 |
| Career Total | 157+ | 40+ | – |
International Career
| Season | Team | Apps | Clean Sheets |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2024 | South Africa (Bafana Bafana) | 4 | 2 |
| 2025 | South Africa (Bafana Bafana) | 6+ | – |
FAQs
What is Sipho Chaine’s net worth?
Sipho Chaine’s estimated net worth is approximately $300,000 (around R5.5 million). He earned this through professional contracts at multiple PSL clubs, with Orlando Pirates representing his highest-earning period.
How much does Sipho Chaine earn at Orlando Pirates?
Based on media reports and PSL market rates for first-choice goalkeepers at top clubs, he likely earns between R150,000 and R200,000 per month — a figure boosted by a reported mid-contract pay rise.
What trophies has Sipho Chaine won with Orlando Pirates?
He has won the Nedbank Cup in 2022/23 and 2023/24, and the MTN8 in 2023/24. He also reached the CAF Champions League semi-finals with Pirates in 2024 and was named PSL Goalkeeper of the Season for 2024/25.
When did Sipho Chaine make his Bafana Bafana debut?
He made his South Africa national team debut on 10 September 2024 in an Africa Cup of Nations qualifier against South Sudan.
What is Sipho Chaine’s market value?
According to Transfermarkt, Sipho Chaine’s market value stands at €1.40 million, making him one of the most valuable goalkeepers in South African club football.
