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 FRIDAY 26 December 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

Cardiff vs Dragons

Tip 1: Cardiff to win 

Reason for the tip: Cardiff hosts the Dragons in a Welsh derby that sees both teams coming into the match with contrasting results. The home side have been superb all season but were shocked by the Scarlets while the visitors produced their performance of the season when they thrashed Connacht. Cardiff though still look well balanced with experience through the spine, led by Taulupe Faletau at No.8 and captain Liam Belcher up front. The backline has genuine strike power with Josh Adams and Mason Grady offering finishing quality while Callum Sheedy and Aled Davies control the tempo and territory. Cardiff’s pack, boosted by the work rate of Dan Thomas and Alex Mann, should look to dominate the breakdown and set-piece to build sustained pressure.

The Dragons arrive with plenty of firepower of their own. Aaron Wainwright and Thomas Young form a powerful loose forward combination capable of disrupting Cardiff’s rhythm while Ben Carter leads a physical second row. Out wide, Rio Dyer remains the key attacking threat, and fly-half Tinus de Beer brings creativity and long-range kicking that can punish defensive lapses. However, consistency has often been an issue for the Dragons, particularly away from home therefore I am backing Cardiff to come away with the win. 

Rugby Handicap Betting

Handicap Betting Tips for Today

Scarlets vs Ospreys: Home team (-5.5)

Reason for tip: In the second of the Welsh derbies, the Scarlets host the Ospreys in a URC clash that rarely disappoints for intensity or edge. The Scarlets field a side blending experience and youth with captain Ryan Elias anchoring the pack alongside seasoned campaigners Jake Ball and Sam Lousi. At half-back, the experienced Gareth Davies partners Joe Hawkins whose distribution and kicking game will be vital in unlocking a well-organised Ospreys defence. Out wide, Tom Rogers and Joe Roberts offer pace and finishing ability while Johnny Williams provides physicality in midfield.

The Ospreys arrive under pressure after a poor season but still possess a powerful forward unit led by skipper Dewi Lake and the abrasive Ross Moriarty at No.8. Their back row, including Harri Deaves and James Ratti, promises breakdown pressure and high work rate. In the backs, Owen Watkin and Keiran Williams give defensive solidity while Keelan Giles remains a constant try-scoring threat. Dan Edwards at fly-half will be tasked with managing territory and keeping the Ospreys on the front foot. The confidence of the Ospreys are sky high therefore I am backing them to cover the -5.5 handicap. 

Rugby fixtures this weekend

Accumulator of the Day 

• Sale Sharks vs Harlequins- Home win
• Cardiff vs Dragons- Home win
• Scarlets vs Ospreys-Home win

Rugby Results Yesterday

• Bordeaux vs Toulon-Home win✅
• Newcastle Red Bull vs Bath- Away win✅
• Honda Heat vs Kobe Steel- Away win✅

Rugby tomorrow

• Bristol vs Newcastle Red Bull
• Zebre vs Benetton
• Edinburgh vs Glasgow Warriors
• Connacht vs Ulster
• Munster vs Leinster
• Gloucester vs Saracens
• Castres vs Lyon

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.