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 FRIDAY 23 OCTOBER 2026
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Latest Betway Rugby odds
No Rugby odds available.For Rugby Fixtures Today
Cardiff vs Sharks- Home team(W) 2.15
Tip 1: Cardiff to win
Reason for the tip: Cardiff look capable of getting the job done at home, although I don’t think there will be much in it. Their backline catches the eye, especially with Cam Winnett and Josh Adams there, while Jarrod Evans should give them some control at 10. I also like the look of Cardiff’s back row. Taine Basham and James Botham can make life uncomfortable for the Sharks at the breakdown, and that could be important. Cardiff can’t afford to get dragged into a forward battle all afternoon, though. They need to move the Sharks around and make the most of playing at home.
The Sharks bench worries me from a Cardiff point of view. Bringing on Ox Nche and Thomas du Toit later in the game is going to put Cardiff’s scrum under some serious pressure, and Vincent Tshituka gives them another strong carrier. André Esterhuizen is another man Cardiff will have to stop before he gets moving. Even so, I’m leaning towards the home side here. Cardiff have enough attacking quality to score points and, if they are still in front going into the last 15 minutes, I think they can hang on.
Rugby Handicap Betting
Handicap Betting Tips for Today
Connacht vs Zebre- Home team(-18.5 handicap)1.85
Reason for tip: Connacht have picked a side that should be able to take control of this game, especially up front. Finlay Bealham gives them a solid platform at scrum time, while Cian Prendergast, Paul Boyle and Sean Jansen make for a busy back row. There is plenty to like behind the pack as well. Ciarán Frawley can keep Zebre guessing at 10 and Mack Hansen is the obvious danger whenever Connacht manage to create some space. Zebre can be awkward opponents, but Connacht should have enough ball to dictate how this one is played.
Zebre will fancy their chances if they can keep the game loose, with Simone Gesi capable of causing problems out wide and Alessandro Fusco setting the tempo from scrum-half. My concern is what happens when Connacht start going to their bench. Dave Heffernan, Will Connors and Caolin Blade give the Irish side plenty to bring on, and that could be where the game gets away from Zebre. I can see the Italians hanging around for a while, but over 80 minutes Connacht look stronger and should eventually pull clear to win this match by 20 points.
Rugby fixtures this weekend
Accumulator of the Day
- Cardiff vs Sharks-Home win
- Newcastle vs Sale Sharks-Home win
- Gloucester vs Bath-Home win
- Connacht vs Zebre-Home win
Rugby Results Yesterday
- Pau vs Leicester Tigers-Home win✅
- Toulouse vs Exeter Chiefs-Home win✅
- Saints vs Cardiff-Home win✅
- Bayonne vs Cheetahs-Home win✅
Rugby tomorrow
- Stade Toulousain vs USA Perpignan
- RC Toulonnais vs Section Paloise
- Bulls vs Ulster
- Benetton vs Glasgow Warriors
- Stormers vs Scarlets
- Leinster vs Munster
- Ospreys vs Dragons
- Japan vs Fiji
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.
