Rugby Predictions Today

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. All the major international tournaments such as the Rugby Championships and the Six Nations will also be covered with our team providing rugby betting tips. You can be assured all the big rugby this weekend will be previewed on this page.

Rugby Predictions for Sunday 31 August 2025

We are committed to finding the best odds for you with the leading rugby betting sites in South Africa 

Latest Betway Rugby odds 

1X2 Tips For Rugby Fixtures Today

Waikato vs Southland

Tip 1: Waikato to win 

Reason for the tip: The comeback kings Waikato will be hoping for an easier win when they welcome Southland in their first defence of the Ranfurly Shield. The home side have won three of their four matches with all their victories coming in the dying embers of the match. They will need to focus from the first whistle as they often find themselves trailing at the halftime break. Southland stunned Bay of Plenty in the last round which shows they cannot be underestimated and have won their last two matches. Waikato can call on a host of All Blacks stars in Luke Jacobsen and Anton Lienert-Brown among others so they are clear favorites. 

There have been a number of Southland players that have impressed this season but none more so than the young pair of Nic Shearer and Michael Manson. The latter has electric pace and has been a delight on the wing or fullback while Shearer is arguably the best nine in the competition. Waikato seem to have the edge in all departments now that their national players are back therefore I am backing the home side for the win.

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Wellington vs Auckland: Home team (-8.5)

Reason for tip: Two of the traditional provincial powerhouses meet when Wellington play host Auckland. The defending champions have looked a shadow of the team from last season as they have been crippled by national team call ups, losing as many as six of their title winning team. The good news for them is that three of those players are available for this match. Auckland are on the worst run in their history as they have lost seven straight matches dating back to last season. 

They have been woeful in defence and attack although the availability of Caleb Tangitau and Caleb Clarke on the wings should improve their attack. Wellington will look to dominate the visitors in the forwards which will lay the platform for their exciting backline that includes Josh Moorby and Oli Mathis who can be deadly if given any space. The front row of the home side looks very powerful after the return of hooker Asafo Aumua and they will be looking to scrum off the park. I am backing Wellington for the win and to cover the -8.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Ireland vs Spain(W) – Home win
• New Zealand vs Japan(W)- Home win
• Wellington vs Auckland- Home Win 
• Waikato vs Southland- Home win 

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Northland vs Hawkes Bay- Home win✅
• Tasman vs Otago- Home win✅
• Sharks vs Boland- Home win✅
• Lions vs Bulls- Home win✅
• Western Province vs Pumas- Away win✅
• Canada(W) vs Wales(W)- Home win✅
• USA(W) vs Australia(W)- Away win❌ 

Rugby tomorrow

• No matches 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.