Consistency – the winning formula in sport and financial planning
I wasn’t your stereotypical loose forward. My point of difference was my fitness and my ability to pop up in places I wasn’t supposed to be.
Nobody arrives at an elite athletic level by accident. Behind every match-day performance are years of preparation, thousands of training sessions, recovery routines, careful choices, and support from a trusted team of people. More particularly, nobody stays at the highest level without consistency.
For Marsh, the path began with recognising what he needed to work on. He readily admits that he wasn’t the biggest loose forward on the field, so he chose to build a different advantage.
“I wasn’t your stereotypical loose forward, South African loose forwards are very big guys, so I knew I had my work cut out for me. So I told myself that I had to be the fittest, and I had to be the smartest player that I possibly can be,” he says. “My point of difference was my fitness and my ability to pop up in places I wasn’t supposed to be.”
At school, that meant training with his team after class and then heading to club practice again that same evening. Later, conditioning coaches helped him identify his “work-ons” (the team doesn’t believe in using the term weaknesses) and develop extra gym and nutrition programmes. He says it wasn’t one breakthrough event that made the difference, but a carefully formulated plan, followed over time.
Marsh is quick to admit that the same principle applies to financial planning. A secure financial future rarely comes from one dramatic decision. Rather, it is shaped by regular choices, and an understanding of what money comes in and goes out, preparing for unexpected events, and making saving a habit.
Plan for the future, not just the next match
A sporting career involves more than turning up on game day. Athletes plan their training, travel, recovery and time away from the field. Their families also often have to make adjustments around those demands.
So why should a financial future be left to chance?
When he began playing professionally for the Cavaliers in 2019, Marsh already had a stable income from his career in the police, where he serves as a Detective Constable. He says he treated his rugby contract as another income stream, rather than assuming it would last forever. Each month, he wrote down his different sources of income and his fixed expenses, including his car, home bond and insurance.
At first, he admits, he could be impulsive, especially when a good pair of trainers caught his eye. Over time though, he became more disciplined about saving and spending.
Marsh says that planning need not begin with a complicated system. It can start with knowing what you earn, what you spend and what you can realistically put aside, adding that a plan only works if it fits the life you’re living. Marsh also shares that while his planning was first done with pen and paper, he now relies on credible online tools to help him get an overview of his finances.
Prepare for the risks you can’t control
Athletes work hard to reduce the risk of injury through conditioning, technique, recovery and the right equipment. But even the best preparation cannot guarantee that nothing will go wrong.
Marsh has seen how quickly circumstances can change. The death of his friend, former Springbok and Boland Cavaliers winger Cornal Hendricks, made him think more carefully about what happens to the people left behind. He says he has made provision for his family and his fiancée knows all the important information about his affairs, so she would not be left without access to passwords and other vital information should something unexpected happen.
South Africans are no strangers to the effects of unforeseen expenses and the Sanlam 2026 Financial Confidence Index shows that less than half of respondents (49%) believe they could cope with a major financial setback.
For Marsh, financial security isn’t about having unlimited wealth; it’s about being able to handle life’s unexpected costs, from medical bills to an unforeseen accident. Seeing young people face serious illness reinforced for him why it matters to prepare.
No career can last forever – planning for what comes next
Marsh doesn’t take a long career for granted. At 33, he’s thinking about the end of his rugby income and says he is always on the lookout for a good investment to prepare for what comes next.
“I don’t have a lot of time left in my career, so I need to start looking at investment opportunities because when the lights go off, then no one looks at you the same anymore,” he says, adding that for anyone, income, health or family circumstances can shift at any time, making good planning essential.
Small, repeatable actions the key to success
Marsh also sees a connection between discipline on the field and consistency at home.
Despite a busy schedule, he prioritises time with his fiancée and young daughter, saying that habits developed in one part of life can carry into another.
When it comes to saving, Marsh encourages young players not to set an unrealistic target that they will later be tempted to withdraw. Instead, he recommends choosing an affordable amount they can keep putting away.
“You won’t be young forever… take every opportunity that comes your way with both hands, and don’t wait for tomorrow,” he says, adding that a sustainable routine is more valuable than a heroic effort that cannot be maintained. Wealth, like performance, grows through actions repeated over time.
Showing up for those who support you
I always say it’s that person that pays their last R50 and comes out on a weekend to support us. That’s the person that I play for.
For Marsh, consistency is about more than what happens on the field – it’s also about showing up for the people who support you.
Marsh says the Wellington community remains his greatest motivation, and the supporters who turn out each weekend give him and the team something to play for.
“The community is everything to me. I play for this community. My heart is in this community. I always say it’s that person that pays their last R50 and comes out on a weekend to support us. That’s the person that I want to make proud, and that is the person that I play for,” he shares. And it’s that sense of belonging that reflects the same principle behind a strong financial future, where lasting security is built through care, commitment and thinking beyond yourself.
There are many parallels between planning for an athletic career and planning for a resilient financial future. For Marsh, consistency began with choosing fitness as his point of difference and showing up for the extra work.
As Marsh demonstrates, the winning formula – in rugby as in financial planning – is to build a plan, protect what matters, and keep going – one deliberate step at a time.
This article provides general information and education only and does not constitute financial advice. For guidance based on your circumstances, speak to a financial adviser.
Frequently asked questions
Why does consistency matter in financial planning?
Regular habits, such as tracking your income and spending, saving a set amount each month and reviewing your plan, help you build momentum and stay on track when circumstances change.How do I start a simple financial plan?
Start by writing down what you earn, your fixed monthly expenses and what you can realistically put aside. A notebook, spreadsheet or online tool can give you a clear overview, and a qualified financial adviser can help you build a plan that suits your circumstances.How much should I save each month?
There is no single right amount. Choosing an affordable amount you can keep saving is usually more sustainable than setting a target you may later be tempted to withdraw or abandon. You can increase your contributions as your income allows.How much should I keep in an emergency fund?
Some consumer [LG1] education resources suggest three to six months [DM2] of essential household expenses. If that feels out of reach, a smaller starter buffer is a useful first step that you can build on over time.What should my family be able to find if something happens to me?
Consider making sure a trusted person knows where to find important documents, such as your will, policy details, account information and your financial adviser’s contact details. Use secure access arrangements rather than sharing passwords.How can people with short or uncertain careers plan for the future?
Careers in sport, and in many other fields, can change or end sooner than expected. Treating income as something that may not last, saving and investing regularly, and getting professional advice can help you prepare for what comes next.
Key terms explained
Financial plan: A structured view of your income, expenses, savings, protection and goals, and the steps you will take to reach them.
Fixed expenses: Costs that stay largely the same each month, such as a home bond, car repayment or insurance premiums.
Emergency fund: Money set aside in an accessible account to cover unexpected costs, such as medical bills, urgent repairs or a loss of income.
Financial resilience: Your ability to withstand and recover from a financial setback.
Life cover: Insurance that pays a lump sum to your nominated beneficiaries if you die, helping to support the people who depend on you.
Sanlam Financial Confidence Index: Sanlam’s annual survey measuring how South Africans feel about, and manage, their money.
Sources and further reading
Sanlam (2026), “Sanlam 2026 Financial Confidence Index report”
https://www.sanlamonline.co.za/about-us/financial-confidence-indexSanlam. “National budget tool”. Available at:
https://www.sanlamonline.co.za/campaigns/national-budget/budget-toolSanlam Knowledge Hub, “How to build a realistic emergency fund in 2026”
https://www.sanlamonline.co.za/knowledge-hub/how-to-build-a-realistic-emergency-fund-in-2026Sanlam Knowledge Hub, “10 small money habits that could help you save over time”
https://www.sanlamonline.co.za/knowledge-hub/10-small-money-habits-that-could-help-you-save-over-timeSanlam Less money, more month. How to save today to protect your financial future. Available at:
https://www.sanlamonline.co.za/knowledge-hub/how-to-save-today-to-protect-your-financial-futureSanlam. “Get Advice”. Available at:
https://www.sanlamonline.co.za/personal/get-advice