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 SUNDAY 02 AUGUST 2026
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Latest Betway Rugby odds
No Rugby odds available.For Rugby Fixtures Today
Boland vs Pumas (Home team -14.5 handicap)1.87 odds
Tip 1: Boland to win by 15 or more points
Reason for the tip:Boland will look to maintain their unbeaten start to the 2026 Currie Cup when they host the struggling Pumas in Round 3. The hosts have emerged as one of the favourites with their exciting brand of running rugby in the opening two rounds, while the Pumas are still searching for their first victory after a difficult start to the campaign. Jimmy Stonehouse’s men have been forced to rebuild following a significant exodus of experienced players during the off-season.
Boland have retained the side that has served them so well, with captain Thurlow Marsh leading an energetic forward pack alongside Kwanda Dimaza and Gift Dlamini. Veteran scrumhalf Louis Schreuder continues to provide excellent game management, while Chris Smit controls proceedings at flyhalf. Out wide, Jayden Bantom and Xavier Mitchell possess the pace to punish any defensive lapses. The Pumas still boast quality through captain Willie Engelbrecht, Thomas Bursey and vice-captain Sango Xamlashe, but they have struggled to replace the experience lost during the close season. The cohesion in attack and home support will be telling factors for Boland as I tip them to win and cover the -14.5 handicap.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Wellington vs Hawkes Bay: Home team(+2.5)1.80 odds
Wellington and Hawke’s Bay get their 2026 NPC campaigns underway with what promises to be one of the standout fixtures of the opening round. Both teams are likely to be challenging for the title at the business end and will want a win to start their campaign. The home side have named a side with plenty of new faces but also feature the experienced Jake Turnbull at hooker, while Hugo Plummer and Logan Henry combine in the halves to direct the attack. Dynamic loose forwards Matolu Petaia and Du’Plessis Kirifi will be crucial at the breakdown with the latter unlucky not to be selected in the All Blacks squad.
Hawke’s Bay arrive with an equally formidable lineup led by powerful captain Tom Allen. Cooper Flanders and Tiaki Fabish will look to dominate the loose exchanges, while Harry Godfrey controls the game from flyhalf. Outside backs Bailyn Sullivan, Jonah Lowe and Will Cole provide genuine pace and finishing ability, making the visitors dangerous whenever they create space. Wellington will have their work cut out but under the leadership of Du’Plessis Kirifi I am backing them to cover the +2.5 handicap.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Boland vs Pumas- Home win
- Northlands vs Manuwatu- Home win
- Wellington vs Hawkes Bay- Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Stormers vs Sharks- Away win❌
- Lions vs Bulls- Home win✅
- Southland vs Otago- Away win✅
- Canterbury vs Auckland- Home win✅
- Counties Manukau vs Taranaki- Home win❌
- Castleford vs Warrington- Away win✅
- Catalan Dragons vs Wakefield – Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- No matches
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.
