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 10 OCTOBER 2026
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New Zealand vs Australia: Home team (-11.5)1.85
Tip 1:New Zealand to win by 12 points or more
Reason for the tip: The first Bledisloe Cup match takes the Wallabies to Eden Park, which is about as difficult a start as they could have asked for. The All Blacks have not lost a Test at the ground since 1994, so Australia know exactly what they are walking into. Ryan Lonergan was excellent against South Africa and his kicking could be important again, while Fraser McReight will be looking to make a nuisance of himself at the breakdown. Australia can trouble New Zealand, but they will have to stay with them from the opening whistle.
There is still so much danger in this All Blacks side. Cam Roigard can hurt Australia around the fringes, and giving Damian McKenzie, Beauden Barrett or Will Jordan space is asking for trouble. Scott Barrett being back also gives New Zealand some extra muscle up front. I actually think Australia will have their chances and could make this a very uncomfortable afternoon for the home crowd. Still, that unbeaten Eden Park record is difficult to ignore, and I fancy the All Blacks to find a way late on and cover the -11.5 handicap.
Bulls vs Lions: Away team(+10.5)1.90
Tip 2: Lions to cover the +10.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: The Bulls will be looking for a response at Loftus after going down 26-22 to Munster, but this is unlikely to be an easy afternoon against the Lions. The visitors have started their URC campaign well with wins over Leinster and Ospreys and will arrive with confidence. Willie le Roux and Canan Moodie give the Bulls plenty of danger out wide, while Curwin Bosch gets the number ten jersey. Cameron Hanekom will also be important against a Lions loose trio that should make this a physical contest throughout.
The Lions certainly have enough quality to trouble the Bulls again after winning 43-33 at Loftus last season. Quan Horn is always dangerous from fullback, while Morné van den Berg can increase the tempo if the Bulls give him space. Where the home side may have the advantage is on the bench. Marco van Staden, Elrigh Louw and Handré Pollard are excellent options to bring on when the game starts opening up. I expect another competitive derby, but at home I am backing the Bulls to claim a narrow win. The smart bet will be the Lions to cover the +10.5 handicap.
Stormers vs Sharks: Home team(-6.5)1.73
Tip 3: Stormers to win and cover the -6.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: The Stormers are back in Cape Town after a 17-13 defeat to Edinburgh, and they have brought plenty of experience into the side for this derby. Damian Willemse, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu and Cobus Reinach should give their backline more direction, while Siya Kolisi and Hacjivah Dayimani add mobility around the breakdown. The big concern is the lineout after the Stormers lost 11 against Edinburgh. That simply cannot happen against a Sharks pack containing Eben Etzebeth, Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit, especially in a game likely to be decided up front. IOL
The Sharks arrive in Cape Town unbeaten after wins over Ospreys and Leinster, so they will not be short of confidence. Andre Esterhuizen gives them a powerful presence in midfield, while Jaden Hendrikse and Vusi Moyo have the job of keeping the Stormers under pressure. I think the home side have the more dangerous backline, and their bench also offers plenty with Deon Fourie and Evan Roos available later. This should be tight, but with Willemse and Sacha back, I am leaning towards the Stormers at home.I am backing them to cover the -6.5 handicap.
Ulster vs Munster: Home team(-2.5)1.80
Tip 4: Ulster to win and cover the -2.5 handicap
Reason for the tip: Munster will be determined to respond after opening their United Rugby Championship campaign with a 26-20 home defeat against Glasgow Warriors. Craig Casey returns to captain a much-changed side, partnering young Charlie O’Shea at half-back, while Shane Daly and Tom Ahern strengthen the starting lineup. John Hodnett, Brian Gleeson and Seán Edogbo form an energetic back row capable of challenging the Bulls at the breakdown. Munster also have valuable experience among the replacements, with Gavin Coombes, JJ Hanrahan and Jeremy Loughman providing important options for the closing stages at Thomond Park.
The Bulls arrive in Limerick with confidence after beginning their campaign with an emphatic 47-13 bonus-point victory over Zebre Parma. Captain Marcell Coetzee leads an unchanged starting forward pack alongside Hanro Liebenberg and Jeandre Rudolph, giving the visitors considerable physical strength. Curwin Bosch continues at fly-half, while Thaakir Abrahams and Sebastian de Klerk provide pace out wide. The Bulls also have an experienced bench featuring Nizaam Carr, Paul de Wet and Willie le Roux. Munster’s home advantage should make this considerably tougher, but the Bulls possess enough power and attacking quality to challenge throughout therefore I am backing them to cover the +3.5 handicap.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Leinster vs Cardiff: Away team(+23.5)1.90
Reason for tip:Leinster have lost their first two URC games and will be desperate to get things right at home against Cardiff. This is a much stronger-looking Leinster team, with Hugo Keenan and Garry Ringrose returning and Sam Prendergast starting at ten. The pack catches my eye more than anything. Jack Conan, James Ryan and Joe McCarthy give them plenty of size, while Tadhg Furlong and Dan Sheehan should make life difficult for Cardiff up front. After two disappointing results, I expect Leinster to come out with a point to prove.
Cardiff should not be written off because there are some very good players in their team. Taulupe Faletau is still a class act, Callum Sheedy can manage a game and Mason Grady gives them a big attacking threat. I just struggle to see Cardiff matching this Leinster side for the full 80 minutes in Dublin. Leinster can also bring Rónan Kelleher and Robbie Henshaw off the bench if things get tight. Cardiff may hang around for a while, but I think Leinster eventually get away from them.I am backing the visitors to cover the +23.5 handicap
Scarlets vs Benetton: Home team(W) 1.57
Reason for tip: Scarlets have made a decent start to the URC season and will fancy their chances back at home. Sam Costelow and Dane Blacker should give them good control at half-back, while Blair Murray and Ellis Mee offer plenty of pace out wide. I also like the experience they have through Josh Macleod, Sam Lousi and Ryan Elias in the pack. Benetton will test them physically, though, and Scarlets cannot afford to give Jacob Umaga too many easy opportunities. This looks like one of those games that could stay close for a long time.
Benetton have plenty to work with themselves. Louis Lynagh and Onisi Ratave can be dangerous if they get space, while Alessandro Garbisi and Umaga make an interesting half-back combination. Michele Lamaro gives them a strong presence at number eight and Niccolò Cannone adds some size up front. My concern is whether Benetton can keep the pressure on Scarlets away from home for the full 80 minutes. Gareth Davies and Johnny Williams give Scarlets useful options from the bench, and I think home advantage just swings this their way.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Bulls vs Lions-Home win
- Stormers vs Sharks-Home win
- Northampton Saints vs Bath-Home win
- Saracens vs Bristol-Home win
- Stade Français Paris vs Montpellier-Home win
- Lyon vs Stade Rochelais-Home win
- RC Toulonnais vs Racing 92-Home win
- Section Paloise vs Castres-Home win Olympique
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Glasgow vs Connacht-Home win✅
- Dragons vs Ospreys-Home win❌
- Leicester Tigers vs Gloucester-Home win✅
- Northlands vs Tasman-Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
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.
