Our TopBets, rugby experts will provide you with the latest rugby predictions on rugby from across the globe. The emphasis will be on the major leagues like the United Rugby Championship (URC), Super Rugby and of course our very own local Currie Cup. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.
Rugby Predictions SATURDAY 29 AUGUST 2026
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Springboks vs All Blacks: Home team(-6.5)1.90
Tip 1: Springboks to cover the -6.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: South Africa return to DHL Stadium on Saturday, 29 August, needing a response after New Zealand claimed a 33-16 victory in the opening Test at Ellis Park. The Springboks have recalled Siya Kolisi as captain and welcomed Cheslin Kolbe back into the starting side, while Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu retains the fly-half role after Handre Pollard was ruled out. New Zealand arrive with confidence and Ardie Savea leading the team, while Cam Roigard also returns at scrum-half. The All Blacks will believe they can secure the series with another disciplined performance here.
The Springboks must improve their handling and defensive accuracy after making 23 turnovers and completing only 78% of their tackles in Johannesburg. Their scrum remains a major weapon, with Ox Nché, Malcolm Marx and Wilco Louw expected to test George Bower and the New Zealand front row. Conditions in Cape Town could also make the aerial battle important, increasing Kolbe’s value. New Zealand have won their last three away Tests against South Africa, but the Boks have motivation and home advantage. Expect another physical contest, with little separating the sides but the wounded Boks will take this by more than 6 points
Pumas vs Cheetahs: Home team(WIN) 2.10 odds
Tip 2: Pumas to win
Reason for the tip: It is going to be an important match for both teams, with the Pumas XV playing at home and hoping to stay in contention for a place in the semifinals while the Cheetahs are going to try to get a victory that will see them finish at the top of the league table. For the Pumas XV, captain Willie Engelbrecht and the forwards will need to perform well in the game, as they will be assisted by the likes of Clinton Swart and Thomas Bursey when it comes to attack.
For their part, the visitors come into this match with an experienced side featuring Neels Volschenk among others and they have good attacking options as well. This is going to be an important game and the Pumas XV need to win it if they want to stay in contention in the race for the semifinals. The Cheetahs, on the other hand, have something more to gain here and will hope to finish this league stage well. I am backing Jimmy Stonehouse’s men to get the job done in front of their home supporters.
Argentina vs Australia(WIN) 2.00
Tip 3: Australia to win
Reason for the tip:It is going to be a tough fight between Argentina and Australia in the Test where the Pumas are keen on recovering after losing 17-10 to South Africa. The Pumas have proved that they can compete with the world’s best teams and will be highly motivated playing at home. Santiago Carreras and Pablo Matera will be among the key players for Argentina. While Australia are on a high after defeating Japan, the defense will come under a bigger challenge with the physical Argentine pack. It will definitely be an exciting battle with both teams having excellent attacking skills.
The Wallabies will depend on Carter Gordon, Max Jorgensen and Tom Wright for some attacking plays while Rob Valetini is very powerful at the back of the scrum. In the meantime, the Pumas will try to win at the breakdown and generate their opportunities through the forwards. The Pumas have won three out of the last five games against Australia which is motivating them before the upcoming clash. But Australia have been scoring well lately and will be dangerous opponents. The difference in the match will be the experience of the Wallabies team therefore I am backing the visitors to come away with a 6 point win.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Taranaki vs Canterbury: Home team +7.5 handicap(1.90)
Reason for tip: The Taranaki host the Canterbury side at Stadium Taranaki in what is expected to be a crucial NPC match for both sides after suffering a defeat in their last match. The Taranaki side lost 28-24 to the Bay of Plenty while their opponents lost 36-12 to the Northland after an excellent start. The home side will depend on Kaylum Boshier, Logan Crowley and the forward pack to dominate this match while the Canterbury side will depend on Dominic Gardiner and Andrew Knewstubb to steer this team.
The Taranaki side enjoys home ground advantage and will be desperate to come up with a response after three consecutive losses against the Waikato, Northland, and Bay of Plenty. The visitors, on the other hand, have beaten Auckland, Otago and the Bay of Plenty previously. This shows that they have enough quality to compete even when playing away from home. It is also important to note that Canterbury has won five of their six matches played away from home recently. I am going for a Taranaki win as the visitors have been severely depleted with All Blacks national team call ups.
Otago vs Waikato: Home team(+7.5)1.85 odds
Reason for tip: In a top of the table clash, Waikato make their way down to Dunedin where they play Otago in an interesting encounter at the Forsyth Barr Stadium on Saturday. Otago are expected to take advantage of their home ground and they will do so under the leadership of Christian Lio-Willie, in a team that features other experienced individuals like Josh Timu Sam Nemeck-Vial. Waikato have selected a solid squad which includes Mason Tupaea, Manaaki Boyle-Tiatia and Mitch Jacobson in their forward pack and Taha Kemara at fly-half. It is evident both teams have players with attacking capabilities throughout the field.
Otago will seek to create pressure through their forward pack and allow Cameron Millar to dictate the pace of the match from fly-half. In addition, they have runners in their backline like Jona Nareki and Jae Brownfield, who can exploit any opportunity that presents itself. Waikato have players who are not short on experience in their backline and Taha Kemara is accompanied by Nathan Stephens and Michael Naitokani. However, despite their experience, Otago’s home ground will be a significant factor in the match but I am tipping the visitors to cover the +7.5 handicap.
Manuwatu vs North Harbour: Home team(+10.5)1.91 odds
Reason for tip: Manawatu welcome Hawke’s Bay in an exciting NPC clash at Central Energy Trust Arena. The Mooloos will try to make the most of the home advantage, as Te Kamaka Howden leads them from the second row position while George Worboys controls things from the fly-half position. The home side also boast of having experienced players like John Tapaeuelu and James Tofa in their pack. Jed Melvin will lead North harbour, George Reeves plays scrum-half for them while Coby Miln plays at fly-half position. Both sides have attacking options all over the pitch, making this an interesting match to watch out for.
Manawatu will want to impose dominance using their forwards pack and then give Worboys time to take control of territory and pace of the game. Their backline consists of Jordan Vilo, George Worboys and John Tapueluelu while they have options on the bench once the game nears its end. North Harbour will reply with their powerful pack which is led by Melvin while Reeves and Miln try to create opportunities behind the forwards. With a big home crowd expected at Central Energy Trust Arena, Manawatu should feel comfortable playing this match therefore I am tipping them to cover the +10.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Pumas vs Cheetahs- Home win
- South Africa vs New Zealand- Home win
- Argentina vs Australia-Away win
- Taranaki vs Canterbury- Home win
- Otago vs Waikato- Home win
- Manawatu vs North Harbour-Away win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Auckland vs Bay of Plenty-Away win✅
- Sharks vs Bulls XV- Home win✅
- Lions vs Stormers XVIII-Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Wellington vs Counties Manukau
- Northland vs Tasman
- Boland vs Cheetahs
Understanding Rugby Betting
It is crucial that players understand the different types of rugby betting. If a player places a wager on a handicap bet with fully understanding it, he could think they won the bet but instead they lost the bet as they did not understand how it works. Our rugby predictions will give you the option of the three way bet or the handicap betting as our previews will focus on this.
Different types of Rugby bets
Match Winner
The most self-explanatory of bets to take on a rugby match. This is the most common and oldest type of rugby bet in which you select Team A or Team B to win. The odds on this type of bet may be low especially if your team is the favourite.
Draw No Bet
The draw is quite rare in Rugby Union, but it does happen from time to time. If you’re worried about the draw messing up your bet then take a Draw No Bet market. Your bet will be refunded if the match result ends in a draw.
Handicap Betting
The most popular bets on rugby are handicap bets. This is often where some of the best value is to be found. The handicap is an advantage that bookmakers give one team to make the game more balanced. The team given the positive handicap can win, draw or lose the game by less than the handicap to cover the bet and win. The team with the negative handicap must win the match by more than the points set out in the handicap to win their bet.
Total points over/under
The over/under betting market involves predicting whether the total number of points scored in a match will be above or lower than a certain predetermined number. For instance, if you bet on the over/under 50 points market and you bet on under, the combined score of the two teams shouldn’t exceed 50.
First Try Scorer
Rugby fans know the excitement that comes when a player breaks through the defence to score the first try. Betting on the first-try scorer is about predicting which player from either team will cross the try line first. This bet type carries higher odds as it’s challenging to predict, making potential payouts more lucrative.
Anytime Try Scorer
Less specific than the first-try scorer bet, the anytime try scorer wager involves picking a player you believe will score a try at any point during the match. The odds are typically lower than for the first-try scorer but offer a better chance of a payout.
FAQs
1 How long is a game of rugby?
A game of rugby is 80 minutes
2. How many players are there on a rugby team?
There are 15 players a side except in Rugby 7s where there are 5 players a side.
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Most of the rugby matches in South Africa can be watched live on Supersport. Betting sites like Betway and WSB offer live streaming on selected matches.
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