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 04 July 2026
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No Rugby odds available.1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today
Australia(WIN) 2.20 odds vs Ireland
Tip 1: Australia to win
Reason for the tip: Australia begin their Nations Championship campaign against Ireland at a sold-out Allianz Stadium in Sydney, looking to bounce back after a disappointing 2025 that ended with five defeats in their last six Tests. Captain Harry Wilson has challenged the Wallabies’ forwards to dominate the physical battle and provide quick ball for dangerous backs such as Joseph-Aukuso Suaalii and Max Jorgensen. Australia will look to the experience of Wilson, Rob Valetini and Angus Bell, while Ireland’s strengths lie in the leadership of Dan Sheehan, the work rate of Jack Conan and the creativity of Sam Prendergast and Jamison Gibson-Park.
Ireland arrive as the world’s third-ranked side and have won their last five Tests against Australia, averaging more than 25 points per game. Former Ireland coach Joe Schmidt, now leading the Wallabies, knows his side must avoid being suffocated by Ireland’s structured game and maintain attacking intent throughout the contest.
The key man in the contest is Irish flyhalf Sam Prendergast as he can be brilliant or the total opposite. He has shown the tendency to crack when under pressure. I am backing the Aussies to come away with the win as Ireland have not performed too well on the road.
Japan(WIN) 3.40 odds vs Italy
Tip 2: Japan to win
Reason for the tip: Japan and Italy kick off their Nations Championship campaign in Tokyo, aiming to build momentum ahead of the 2027 Rugby World Cup. Head coach Eddie Jones will miss the opening match as he serves the final game of a four-match suspension, leaving forwards coach Neal Hatley in charge. Japan have handed university flyhalf Ryunosuke Ito his Test debut and included four uncapped players in the matchday squad, with captain Warner Dearns leading a side looking to improve after two years under Jones.
Italy arrive full of confidence after their best ever Six Nations campaign, highlighted by a historic victory over England. Head coach Gonzalo Quesada has named debutants Alessandro Ortombina and Malik Faissal in his starting XV, while experienced playmakers Paolo Garbisi, Stephen Varney, Juan Ignacio Brex and Tommaso Menoncello provide a strong backbone.
Japan only knows one way to play the game and that is Fast. They will look to move the ball as much as possible and tire out the Italian players in the Tokyo heat. I am backing the home side to pull off the upset and beat the much fancied Azzurri.
Fiji vs Wales(WIN) 2.40 odds
Tip 3: Wales to win
Reason for the tip: Wales open their Nations Championship campaign against Fiji in Cardiff looking to build on recent progress under coach Steve Tandy. After ending a 15-match, Six Nations losing streak with victory over Italy, Wales have made six changes to the side that defeated the Barbarians, including the return of Louis Rees-Zammit to his preferred wing position. Experienced backs Josh Adams and Tomos Williams also return, while Adam Beard, Alex Mann and Rhys Carre strengthen the forward pack.
Fiji arrive with one of the world’s most dangerous backlines and will again rely on their pace, power and offloading ability. Fullback Salesi Rayasi, midfield stars Semi Radradra and Josua Tuisova, and loose forward Pita-Gus Sowakula are all capable of turning the match with moments of brilliance.
The matches between these sides always seems to go down to the wire like the 2023 World Cup encounter that Wales won 32-26. The home side will need to be accurate with their kicking game as the Fijians can attack from anywhere. The bench of the Welsh team will carry them to a narrow win.
Argentina(WIN) 1.34 odds vs Scotland
Tip 4: Argentina to win
Reason for the tip: Argentina begin their Nations Championship campaign against Scotland in Córdoba, looking to build on last year’s dramatic comeback victory over the Scots after overturning a 21-point deficit. The visitors will be desperate for a victory to banish the demons of that loss. The hosts have made several changes to the side that last featured in November with experienced lock Matías Alemanno reaching a major milestone with his 100th Test appearance. Captain Julián Montoya will lead a physical forward pack, while Santiago Carreras and Tomás Albornoz are expected to drive Argentina’s attacking game.
Scotland arrive eager to avenge last year’s collapse and have milestones of their own, with Pierre Schoeman and Scott Cummings earning their 50th Test caps. Captain Sione Tuipulotu leads a dangerous backline featuring Kyle Steyn, Ben White and Tom Jordan, while the experienced front row will look to establish dominance at the set-piece. Matches between these sides are always nail biters with the overall head-to-head sitting at 13 wins apiece. I am predicting a win for the Pumas with their partisan home support proving to be the difference.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
New Zealand vs France: Away team(+12.5)1.71 odds
Reason for tip:A new era begins for New Zealand as Dave Rennie takes charge of the All Blacks in their Nations Championship opener against France in Christchurch. The match also marks the first Test at the city’s new covered stadium in 15 years. While France are without several star names due to player management and Top 14 commitments, they still boast a formidable squad featuring Matthieu Jalibert, Damian Penaud, Maxime Lucu and Yoram Moefana, the axis of the Champions Cup winning Bordeaux team.
The contest is expected to be decided at the scrum, breakdown and aerial battle. New Zealand will look to exploit France’s inexperienced front row through Ethan de Groot, Fletcher Newell and Codie Taylor, while Ardie Savea leads a powerful forward pack. France, meanwhile, will rely on Jalibert’s creativity and the finishing ability of Penaud and Théo Attissogbé to challenge the hosts. Young flyhalf Ruben Love will be under the spotlight for the All Blacks as he guides a refreshed backline alongside his Hurricanes mates Cam Roigard and Jordie Barrett. The All Blacks will come away with the win but I am backing Les Bleus to cover the +12.5 handicap.
South Africa vs England: Home team(-15.5)1.91 odds
Reason for tip: The Nations Championship gets underway with a heavyweight clash as world champions South Africa host England at Ellis Park. The Springboks will be eager to make a statement on home soil, with Siya Kolisi leading a star-studded side featuring Eben Etzebeth, Malcolm Marx, Cheslin Kolbe and Damian Willemse. South Africa’s powerful pack and relentless physicality will be central to their game plan, while the pace of Kurt-Lee Arendse and Kolbe offers a constant attacking threat out wide.
England arrive with a youthful but talented squad under captain Jamie George. Flyhalf Fin Smith will direct play behind an experienced forward pack led by Ellis Genge, Tom Curry and Ben Earl, while the dangerous back three of George Furbank, Immanuel Feyi-Waboso and Cadan Murley will look to exploit any space on the edges. England’s discipline and kicking game will be vital if they are to silence one of rugby’s most intimidating venues. The battle at the scrums will ultimately tilt the match in the Boks favour as they have a dominant front row and a very impressive Bomb Squad to come on in the second half. I am backing the home side to win and cover the -14.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- New Zealand vs France- Home team
- Japan vs Italy- Home team
- Australia vs Ireland- Home team
- Fiji vs Wales- Away team
- South Africa vs England- Home team
- Argentina vs Scotland- Home team
- Uruguay vs Georgia- Away team
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Penrith Panthers vs South Sydney Rabbitohs- Home team✅
- France 7s vs Great Britain 7s- Home win✅
- Italy 7s vs Georgia 7s-Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Canada vs Spain
- USA vs Portugal
- Leeds vs Bradford
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.
3. Where to watch rugby live?
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.
4. How to stream live rugby in South Africa for free?
Rugby Pass offers free streaming of selected matches.
